Lake Charles, LA vs Merced, CA
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.
Lake Charles
76.2
#371 nationally
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Lake Charles leads in average commute (18 min vs 27 min). Lake Charles leads in cost of living index (94 vs 121). Lake Charles leads in crime level (16.8 vs 21.5).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#371) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 79,633 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $206,355 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $54,761 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 16.8 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.6 | R+4.4 |
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 →
D
64.3 Score
Merced, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$397,570
Population
93,692
Crime
High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Merced, CA →