Lake Charles LA vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 47.3% | 31.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 2.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $720,443 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 41.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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