Lake Charles, LA vs Orange, 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
Orange
63.3
#1780 nationally
Orange leads in crime level (6.2 vs 16.8). Orange leads in median household income ($109,335 vs $54,761). Lake Charles leads in cost of living index (94 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Orange, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#371) | 63.3 (#1780) |
| Population | 79,633 | 138,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $206,355 | $1,136,729 |
| Median Household Income | $54,761 | $109,335 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 16.8 | 6.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.6 | D+2.6 |
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
63.3 Score
Orange, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,136,729
Population
138,337
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Orange, CA →
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