Lake Charles LA vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 47.3% | 27.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 11.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $23,980 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 19.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 12.8% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $492,059 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 48.5% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
San Bernardino
503
San Bernardino +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | San Bernardino + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.0% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 30.7 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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