Lake Charles LA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.6 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 47.3% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 42.8% | 4.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $422,520 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 32.8 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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