Lake Charles LA vs San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 47.3% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 42.8% | 5.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $1,006,261 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 47.6% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, San Diego 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 Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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