Lake Charles LA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 47.3% | 39.1% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $580,173 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 41.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 24.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 32.8 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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