Is Lake Charles or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 41% lower. Lake Charles has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Antonio has a 50% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 19.4x 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
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 5,219.0 | -2,136.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 595.3 | +17.6 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 8.4 | +8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 83.7 | -31.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 108.4 | -44.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 393.7 | +85.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 4,623.6 | -2,153.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 495.6 | +117.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 3,291.8 | -1,640.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 836.3 | -631.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or San Antonio safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. San Antonio 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 San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.