Lake Charles LA vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 47,823 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.8 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 47.3% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $50,294 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $28,418 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,141 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 24.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 19.6% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $362,476 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 834 | Lake Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3177 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 19.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Lake Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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