Lake Charles LA vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 47.3% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 42.8% | 5.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $54,546 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $31,152 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $324,946 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 51.7% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 23.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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