Lake Charles, LA vs Sumter, SC
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
Sumter
72.5
#885 nationally
Lake Charles leads in crime level (16.8 vs 30.1). Lake Charles leads in walk score (37 vs 25). Lake Charles leads in median household income ($54,761 vs $48,900).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Sumter, SC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#371) | 72.5 (#885) |
| Population | 79,633 | 42,766 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $206,355 | $207,039 |
| Median Household Income | $54,761 | $48,900 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 19.4 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 16.8 | 30.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 92 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.6 | D+4.9 |
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 →
C-
72.5 Score
Sumter, SC
Small South Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$207,039
Population
42,766
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Sumter, SC →
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