Lake Charles LA vs Savannah 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Savannah
7.1%
Savannah +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 47.3% | 37.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 7.1% | Savannah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Savannah
$57,405
Savannah +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $56,782 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $32,004 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,405 | Savannah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $326,132 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 44.4% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Savannah
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Savannah, 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 +
Savannah
22.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 22.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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