Lake Charles LA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 75,721 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 47.3% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 42.8% | 2.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $765,686 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 45.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.4 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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