Is Lake Charles or Opelousas Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Opelousas (Safety Score 18/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 6,401 for Opelousas — 52% lower. Lake Charles has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Charles has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 5.1x 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
Opelousas — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Opelousas, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Opelousas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 6,401.1 | -3,318.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 1,382.4 | -769.5 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 39.3 | -22.6 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 45.9 | +6.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 104.8 | -40.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 1,179.3 | -699.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 5,018.7 | -2,548.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 786.2 | -173.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 3,904.9 | -2,253.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 327.6 | -122.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Opelousas safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 6,401 for Opelousas — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Opelousas has 1,382.4. 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 Opelousas, LA
Opelousas, Louisiana, the third-oldest city in the state, is a hub of Creole culture in St. Landry Parish. Situated in south-central Louisiana, it reflects a rich agricultural heritage. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 15,263, Opelousas has a total crime rate of 6,401.1 per 100,000 residents.