Is Lake Charles or West Monroe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than West Monroe (Safety Score 18/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 7,042 for West Monroe — 56% lower. Lake Charles has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lake Charles has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 6.3x 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
West Monroe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
West Monroe, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | West Monroe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 7,042.4 | -3,959.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 1,156.2 | -543.3 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 8.1 | +8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 113.2 | -60.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 153.6 | -89.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 881.3 | -401.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 5,886.2 | -3,416.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 986.4 | -373.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 4,511.6 | -2,860.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 388.1 | -182.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or West Monroe safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 7,042 for West Monroe — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while West Monroe has 1,156.2. 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 West Monroe, LA
West Monroe, Louisiana, nestled on the Ouachita River's west bank, is a city with a rich timber heritage. Known as the home of the Duck Commander family, it shares a metropolitan area with Monroe. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 12,368, West Monroe has a total crime rate of 7,042.4 per 100,000 residents.