Lake Charles LA vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 47.3% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 42.8% | 7.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $468,328 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 41.6% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 23.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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