Lake Charles LA vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 47.3% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 42.8% | 9.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $204,104 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 58.4% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 20.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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