Lake Charles LA vs Simi Valley CA — 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%
Simi Valley, CA
California · Population: 125,769
- Median HH Income$117,703
- Median Home Price$839,862
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+37.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Simi Valley
125,769
Simi Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Simi Valley
41.8
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Simi Valley
63.3%
Simi Valley +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 125,769 | Simi Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.8 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 47.3% | 63.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Simi Valley
4.5%
Simi Valley +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Simi Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Simi Valley
73.0%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $839,862 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 73.0% | Simi Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Simi Valley
503
Simi Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Simi Valley
2388
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Simi Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Simi Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Simi Valley
16.3%
Simi Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.3% | Simi Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Simi Valley, CA | 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
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Simi Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Simi Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Simi Valley
31.0 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 31.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Simi Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Simi Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Simi Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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