Lake Charles LA vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 47.3% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 42.8% | 32.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $35,074 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $419,326 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 54.6% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Wilmington
58.4 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 58.4 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 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
23.2 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 23.2 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 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 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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