Is Lafayette or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 43% lower. Lafayette has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Lake Charles has a 43% lower rate.
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 3,082.8 | +2,330.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 613.0 | +453.1 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 16.7 | -1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 52.6 | -18.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 64.1 | +5.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 479.6 | +468.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 2,469.8 | +1,877.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 613.0 | +48.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 1,651.7 | +1,576.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 205.2 | +253.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Lake Charles safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. Lake Charles has lower violent crime.
About Lafayette, LA
Lafayette, at the heart of Acadiana, is a vibrant hub of Cajun and Creole culture, known for its lively music and food scene. Situated along the Vermilion River, it's the most populous city in the Lafayette metropolitan area. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 121,471, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 5,413.6 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.