Lake Charles LA vs Sandy UT — 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, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Sandy
94,723
Sandy +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 94,723 | Sandy + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.9 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 47.3% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 42.8% | 0.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $672,082 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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