Lake Charles LA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 36.6 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 47.3% | 45.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $55,279 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 45.4% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | St. Louis, MO | 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
Lake Charles +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 24.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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