Lake Charles LA vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 47.3% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 42.8% | 4.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $33,835 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 24.9% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $313,452 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 22.3% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
19.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 19.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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