Lake Charles LA vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 51,054 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 47.3% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 42.8% | 16.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $35,780 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 9.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 23.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $205,924 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 36.8% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.7% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 22.7 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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