Is Lake Charles or Monroe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Monroe (Safety Score 18/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 7,626 for Monroe — 60% lower. Lake Charles has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Lake Charles has a 68% lower rate.
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Monroe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Monroe, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Monroe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 7,625.8 | -4,543.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 1,892.4 | -1,279.5 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 15.1 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 30.2 | +22.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 164.2 | -100.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 1,682.9 | -1,203.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 5,733.4 | -3,263.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 1,402.0 | -789.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 3,977.1 | -2,325.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 354.3 | -149.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Monroe safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 7,626 for Monroe — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Monroe has 1,892.4. Lake Charles has lower violent crime.
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.
About Monroe, LA
Monroe, Louisiana, on the Ouachita River, is home to the University of Louisiana Monroe. This city in northeast Louisiana has a diverse population, including a significant African American community. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 46,290, Monroe has a total crime rate of 7,625.8 per 100,000 residents.