Lake Charles LA vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 47.3% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $438,754 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 55.7% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3001 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.5 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
Compare More Cities
Lake Charles, LA vs New York, NYLake Charles, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lake Charles, LAHouston, TX vs Lake Charles, LALake Charles, LA vs Phoenix, AZLake Charles, LA vs Philadelphia, PA