Lake Charles LA vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 47.3% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 42.8% | 14.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $220,279 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 52.0% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Tulsa
20.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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