Lake Charles LA vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 47.3% | 36.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 3.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Shreveport
$55,297
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $48,465 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $33,788 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $55,297 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 23.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 27.5% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
53.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 53.8% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Shreveport
643
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Shreveport
2824
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 643 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2824 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Shreveport
43.1%
Shreveport +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Shreveport
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 43.1% | Shreveport + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.1% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.1% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Shreveport
52.7 in
Shreveport +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 52.7 in | Shreveport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Shreveport
20.5 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.5 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Shreveport is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Shreveport scores better with a lower obesity rate of 43.1%.
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