Crystal, MN vs Lake Charles, LA
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.
Crystal
75
#509 nationally
Lake Charles
76.2
#371 nationally
Crystal leads in crime level (7.7 vs 16.8). Crystal leads in median household income ($86,288 vs $54,761). Lake Charles leads in average commute (18 min vs 24 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Crystal, MN | Lake Charles, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75 (#509) | 76.2 (#371) |
| Population | 21,906 | 79,633 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $323,618 | $206,355 |
| Median Household Income | $86,288 | $54,761 |
| Average Commute | 24 min | 18 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 7.7 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+42.6 | R+39.6 |
C
75 Score
Crystal, MN
Small Minnesota city with local appeal
Median Home
$323,618
Population
21,906
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Crystal, MN →
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 →
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