Lake Charles LA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.5 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 47.3% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 42.8% | 6.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 2.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $309,742 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 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 +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 27.5 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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