Is Lake Charles or Slidell Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Slidell is safer than Lake Charles (Safety Score 28/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,541 per 100,000 versus 3,083 for Lake Charles — 18% lower. Lake Charles has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Slidell has a 79% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 2.7x 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
Slidell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Slidell, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Slidell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 2,541.4 | +541.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 256.6 | +356.4 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 3.5 | +13.2 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 21.1 | +31.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 24.6 | +39.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 207.4 | +272.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 2,284.8 | +185.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 119.5 | +493.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 2,021.2 | -369.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 144.1 | +61.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Slidell safer?
Slidell is safer with a total crime rate of 2,541 per 100K vs 3,083 for Lake Charles — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Slidell has 256.6. Slidell 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 Slidell, LA
Slidell, a St. Tammany Parish city, sits at the confluence of Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Borgne. Founded by the New Orleans, Mobile and Chattanooga Railroad, its population exceeds 27,000. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 28,449, Slidell has a total crime rate of 2,541.4 per 100,000 residents.