Lake Charles LA vs Roseville 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%
Roseville, CA
California · Population: 50,340
- Median HH Income$72,248
- Median Home Price$650,823
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+21.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Roseville
50,340
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Roseville
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Roseville
44.5
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Roseville
58.6%
Roseville +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Roseville
7.8%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Roseville
0.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Roseville
64.9%
Roseville +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Roseville
29.4%
Roseville +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 50,340 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 44.5 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 58.6% | Roseville + |
| White | 47.3% | 7.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 0.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 64.9% | Roseville + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 29.4% | Roseville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Roseville
$72,248
Roseville +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Roseville
$27,237
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Roseville
$77,230
Roseville +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Roseville
5.0%
Roseville +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Roseville
14.1%
Roseville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Roseville
21.9%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $72,248 | Roseville + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $27,237 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Roseville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% | Roseville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 14.1% | Roseville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 21.9% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Roseville
$650,823
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Roseville
48.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $650,823 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 48.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Roseville
503
Roseville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Roseville
2388
Roseville +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Roseville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Roseville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Roseville
27.2%
Roseville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Roseville
9.4%
Roseville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Roseville
15.8%
Roseville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Roseville
5.6%
Roseville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Roseville
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Roseville
9.5%
Roseville +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 27.2% | Roseville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.4% | Roseville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.8% | Roseville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.6% | Roseville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 9.5% | Roseville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Roseville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Roseville
7.9 µg/m³
Roseville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Roseville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Roseville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Roseville
30.5 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 30.5 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roseville leads in median household income at $72,248, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Roseville is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Roseville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Roseville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roseville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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