Lake Charles LA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 47.3% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 42.8% | 6.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $871,599 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 44.3% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 28.8 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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