Lake Charles LA vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Sugar Land
109,735
Sugar Land +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 109,735 | Sugar Land + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 42.5 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 47.3% | 40.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 7.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $449,058 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Sugar Land
50.4 in
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 50.4 in | Sugar Land + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 31.6 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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