Lake Charles LA vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Roswell
92,577
Roswell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 92,577 | Roswell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 40.0 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 47.3% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 42.8% | 11.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Roswell
$57,405
Roswell +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,405 | Roswell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $662,209 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roswell, GA | 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
Lake Charles +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 29.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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