Lake Charles LA vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Warren
138,128
Warren +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Warren
13.7%
Warren +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Warren
60.8%
Warren +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Warren
20.9%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 138,128 | Warren + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.9 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 13.7% | Warren + |
| White | 47.3% | 60.8% | Warren + |
| Black | 42.8% | 20.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 2.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Warren
$63,741
Warren +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Warren
$32,162
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Warren
$58,052
Warren +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $63,741 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $32,162 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Warren + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 20.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $200,632 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Warren
471
Warren +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Warren + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Warren
39.1%
Warren +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Warren
12.5%
Warren +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Warren
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Warren
18.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.1% | Warren + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.5% | Warren + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Warren, MI | 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
Lake Charles +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Warren
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 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 +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 26.9 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Warren leads in median household income at $63,741, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Warren is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Warren scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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