Lake Charles LA vs San Antonio 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 47.3% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 42.8% | 7.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $32,983 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 28.7% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $251,035 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 52.4% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 24.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Antonio, 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 +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 26.5 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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