Lake Charles LA vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 47.3% | 39.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 6.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $33,716 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 25.7% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $648,603 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 56.3% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 34.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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