Lake Charles LA vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 39.7 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 47.3% | 40.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 5.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $1,369,171 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 38.5% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 33.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, San Francisco 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 Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
Compare More Cities
Lake Charles, LA vs New York, NYLake Charles, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lake Charles, LAHouston, TX vs Lake Charles, LALake Charles, LA vs Phoenix, AZLake Charles, LA vs Philadelphia, PA