Lake Charles, LA vs Ponca City, OK
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
Ponca City
79.9
#102 nationally
Ponca City leads in average commute (15 min vs 18 min). Lake Charles leads in walk score (37 vs 32). Ponca City leads in cost of living index (85 vs 94).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Ponca City, OK |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#371) | 79.9 (#102) |
| Population | 79,633 | 24,306 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $206,355 | $139,703 |
| Median Household Income | $54,761 | $51,367 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 15 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 16.8 | 15.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 85 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.6 | R+49.4 |
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+
79.9 Score
Ponca City, OK
Small Oklahoma city with local appeal
Median Home
$139,703
Population
24,306
Crime
High
Walk Score
32
Southwest
View Ponca City, OK →
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