Lake Charles LA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 47.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 42.8% | 9.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $55,902 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $33,290 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 29.1% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 59.2% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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