Lake Charles LA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Spokane Valley
105,460
Spokane Valley +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spokane Valley
5.1%
Spokane Valley +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spokane Valley +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 105,460 | Spokane Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.6 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 5.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| White | 47.3% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 42.8% | 1.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 7.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $35,235 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 24.8% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $414,734 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 57.5% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 22.4 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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