Lake Charles LA vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 3.4% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 47.3% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 42.8% | 28.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Toledo
$58,300
Toledo +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $47,532 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $27,407 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,300 | Toledo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 24.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 21.0% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 52.7% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Toledo
15.7%
Toledo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.7% | Toledo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.6% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.9% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 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 +
Toledo
21.3 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 21.3 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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