Is Lake Charles or Sulphur Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Sulphur (Safety Score 18/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 3,292 for Sulphur — 6% lower. Lake Charles has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sulphur has a 40% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 3.9x 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
Sulphur — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Sulphur, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Sulphur | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 3,292.4 | -209.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 375.9 | +237.1 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 10.0 | +6.7 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 35.1 | +17.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 45.1 | +19.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 285.6 | +194.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 2,916.6 | -446.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 456.0 | +156.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 2,315.2 | -663.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 145.3 | +59.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Sulphur safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 3,292 for Sulphur — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Sulphur has 375.9. Sulphur 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 Sulphur, LA
Sulphur, Louisiana, nestled in Calcasieu Parish near the Texas border, grew around its sulfur mining industry. This industrial city of over 20,000 residents reflects a blend of Cajun heritage and petrochemical influence. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 19,955, Sulphur has a total crime rate of 3,292.4 per 100,000 residents.