Lake Charles LA vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 47.3% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 42.8% | 2.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $580,126 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 46.8% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 21.3 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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