Lake Charles LA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 47.3% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 42.8% | 19.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $708,498 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 47.5% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Stamford
53.2 in
Stamford +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 53.2 in | Stamford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 30.1 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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