Lake Charles LA vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.1 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 47.3% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 42.8% | 4.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $802,780 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Santa Clarita
503
Santa Clarita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Santa Clarita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Clarita, CA | 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
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 37.4 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Santa Clarita is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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