Is Covington or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Covington is safer than Lake Charles (Safety Score 67/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,185 per 100,000 versus 3,083 for Lake Charles — 62% lower. Covington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Covington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 6.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Covington — 3-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Covington, LA
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Covington | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,185.5 | 3,082.8 | -1,897.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 171.8 | 613.0 | -441.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 16.7 | -16.7 |
| Rape Rate | 17.2 | 52.6 | -35.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.6 | 64.1 | -55.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 146.0 | 479.6 | -333.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,013.7 | 2,469.8 | -1,456.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.6 | 613.0 | -458.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 807.5 | 1,651.7 | -844.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 51.5 | 205.2 | -153.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Covington or Lake Charles safer?
Covington is safer with a total crime rate of 1,185 per 100K vs 3,083 for Lake Charles — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Covington has a violent crime rate of 171.8 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. Covington has lower violent crime.
About Covington, LA
Covington, a charming St. Tammany Parish seat, lies on the Bogue Falaya River. Established in 1813, it boasts a historic downtown with a vibrant arts scene and a population around 11,000. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 11,641, Covington has a total crime rate of 1,185.5 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.