Lake Charles LA vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 47.3% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 42.8% | 2.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $505,085 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Lake Charles +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3234 | Lake Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 32.8 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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