Lake Charles LA vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 47.3% | 41.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 37.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $46,628 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $30,451 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 26.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $241,627 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 37.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
20.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.6 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, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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 38.0%.
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