Durham, NC 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.

Durham

69.4

#1213 nationally

vs

Lake Charles

76.2

#371 nationally

Lake Charles leads in average commute (18 min vs 22.8 min). Durham leads in median household income ($67,432 vs $54,761). Lake Charles leads in walk score (37 vs 33).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Durham, NC Lake Charles, LA
WhereAtHome Score 69.4 (#1213) 76.2 (#371)
Population 283,506 79,633
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $395,976 $206,355
Median Household Income $67,432 $54,761
Average Commute 22.8 min 18 min
Walk Score 33 37
Crime Level Moderate 16.8
School Rating 6.4 N/A
Cost of Living Index 102 94
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+61.9 R+39.6
Durham, NC
D+
69.4 Score

Durham, NC

Bull City innovation and inclusion

Median Home

$395,976

Population

283,506

Crime

Moderate

Schools

B-

Southeast View Durham, NC →
Lake Charles, LA
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 Durham for:

Chapel Hill, NC vs Lake Charles Morrisville, NC vs Lake Charles Carrboro, NC vs Lake Charles Cary, NC vs Lake Charles Apex, NC vs Lake Charles

Swap Lake Charles for:

Sulphur, LA vs Durham Orange, TX vs Durham Port Arthur, TX vs Durham Beaumont, TX vs Durham Lafayette, LA vs Durham

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