Lake Charles LA vs Reno NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.3 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 47.3% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 42.8% | 3.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $570,934 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 49.4% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 22.3 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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