Lake Charles LA vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 47.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 42.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $280,921 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Waterbury
40.5%
Waterbury +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Waterbury
14.1%
Waterbury +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Waterbury
19.1%
Waterbury +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Waterbury
16.2%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.5% | Waterbury + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.1% | Waterbury + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.1% | Waterbury + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.2% | Waterbury + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waterbury scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
Compare More Cities
Lake Charles, LA vs New York, NYLake Charles, LA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lake Charles, LAHouston, TX vs Lake Charles, LALake Charles, LA vs Phoenix, AZLake Charles, LA vs Philadelphia, PA