Is Lake Charles or Natchitoches Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Natchitoches (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 5,276 for Natchitoches — 42% lower. Lake Charles has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Lake Charles has a 44% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 4.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Natchitoches — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Natchitoches, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Natchitoches | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 5,275.9 | -2,193.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 891.1 | -278.2 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 29.5 | -12.8 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 70.8 | -18.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 47.2 | +16.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 743.6 | -264.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 4,384.8 | -1,915.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 1,304.2 | -691.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 2,815.0 | -1,163.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 265.6 | -60.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Natchitoches safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 5,276 for Natchitoches — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Natchitoches has 891.1. 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 Natchitoches, LA
Natchitoches, Louisiana's oldest permanent settlement, sits on the Cane River Lake in central Louisiana. This historic city, known for its Creole architecture, has a population of around 17,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 16,945, Natchitoches has a total crime rate of 5,275.9 per 100,000 residents.