Lake Charles LA vs Round Rock TX — 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%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Round Rock
36.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 124,288 | Round Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 47.3% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 42.8% | 11.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Round Rock
56.3%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $411,570 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 56.3% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Round Rock
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Round Rock
17.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.2% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Round Rock
35.7 in
Round Rock +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 35.7 in | Round Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Round Rock
26.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 26.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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