Lake Charles LA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Schenectady
4.7%
Schenectady +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 28,542 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 42.3 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 47.3% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 42.8% | 3.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 4.7% | Schenectady + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $321,835 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 57.5% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 26.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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