Lake Charles LA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 49.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 47.3% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 42.8% | 2.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $858,307 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 23.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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