Lake Charles LA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 47.3% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 42.8% | 35.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $55,931 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $35,704 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $293,664 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 39.5% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.3% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 58.1 in | Tallahassee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.3 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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