Is Alexandria or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Alexandria (Safety Score 18/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 9,310 for Alexandria — 67% lower. Alexandria has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Lake Charles has a 77% lower rate.
Alexandria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Alexandria, LA
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Alexandria | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 9,309.9 | 3,082.8 | +6,227.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 2,713.5 | 613.0 | +2,100.6 |
| Murder Rate | 37.3 | 16.7 | +20.6 |
| Rape Rate | 123.5 | 52.6 | +70.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 163.0 | 64.1 | +98.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 2,389.8 | 479.6 | +1,910.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,596.3 | 2,469.8 | +4,126.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 868.8 | 613.0 | +255.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 5,208.1 | 1,651.7 | +3,556.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 519.4 | 205.2 | +314.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alexandria or Lake Charles safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 9,310 for Alexandria — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Alexandria has a violent crime rate of 2,713.5 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. Lake Charles has lower violent crime.
About Alexandria, LA
Alexandria, bisected by the Red River, is a Central Louisiana hub with a rich timber industry history. This parish seat serves a diverse population across Rapides Parish. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 42,933, Alexandria has a total crime rate of 9,309.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 per 100,000 residents.