Lake Charles LA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 47.3% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 42.8% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $48,536 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $31,324 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 23.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $231,461 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 45.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 42.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 21.3% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 55.0 in | Tuscaloosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.0 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, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tuscaloosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 42.6%.
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