Lake Charles LA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 47.3% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 42.8% | 20.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Lake Charles +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $51,468 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $28,819 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 24.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 28.6% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 48.9% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Lake Charles +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 20.4% | Lake Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 19.7 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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