Lake Charles, LA vs Waco, TX
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
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in crime level (11.7 vs 16.8). Lake Charles leads in median household income ($54,761 vs $47,421). Lake Charles leads in walk score (37 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#371) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 79,633 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $206,355 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $54,761 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 16.8 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.6 | R+30.9 |
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+
77.1 Score
Waco, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$197,359
Population
144,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Waco, TX →