Lake Charles LA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 71,124 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.0 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 47.3% | 32.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 42.8% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $55,269 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $327,117 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 46.0% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.0% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 25.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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