Lake Charles LA vs Torrance CA — 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Torrance
95,358
Torrance +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 95,358 | Torrance + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 47.3% | 34.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 6.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 26.2% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $1,128,110 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Torrance
503
Torrance +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Torrance + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 44.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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