Lake Charles LA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 26,509 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.7 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 47.3% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 42.8% | 3.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 3.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $344,633 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 28.3 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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