Lake Charles LA vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Sandy Springs
107,198
Sandy Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Sandy Springs +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 107,198 | Sandy Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.1 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 47.3% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 42.8% | 20.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 11.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $694,123 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 50.7% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy Springs, GA | 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
Lake Charles +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 27.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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