Lake Charles, LA vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Washington leads in walk score (98 vs 37). Lake Charles leads in cost of living index (94 vs 181). Washington leads in median household income ($101,722 vs $54,761).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#371) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 79,633 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $206,355 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $54,761 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 98 |
| Crime Level | 16.8 | 25.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.6 | D+86.1 |
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
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →
Try a different matchup
Swap Lake Charles for: