Lake Charles LA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 47.3% | 21.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $28,813 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 15.5% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $751,711 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 47.0% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 28.8 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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