Lake Charles LA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.0 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 47.3% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 42.8% | 29.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $52,671 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $34,792 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 28.9% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $279,668 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 51.7% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Roanoke
41.9%
Roanoke +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.9% | Roanoke + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 21.6 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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roanoke scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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