Boulder, CO vs Lake Charles, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boulder
67.4
#1424 nationally
Lake Charles
76.2
#371 nationally
Lake Charles leads in cost of living index (94 vs 165). Boulder leads in walk score (62 vs 37). Boulder leads in median household income ($86,098 vs $54,761).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Lake Charles, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1424) | 76.2 (#371) |
| Population | 103,166 | 79,633 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $957,377 | $206,355 |
| Median Household Income | $86,098 | $54,761 |
| Average Commute | 21.4 min | 18 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 37 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-Low | 16.8 |
| School Rating | 8.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 165 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+55.8 | R+39.6 |
D+
67.4 Score
Boulder, CO
Nature meets innovation at the Flatirons
Median Home
$957,377
Population
103,166
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
A
West
View Boulder, CO →
C
76.2 Score
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$206,355
Population
79,633
Crime
High
Walk Score
37
Southeast
View Lake Charles, LA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Boulder for: