Lake Charles, LA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 94% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lake Charles Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Lake Charles has a crime rate that is 82% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 133.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 133
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
98% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 23
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
133% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lake Charles Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
188 | +88% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
204 | +104% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
182 | +82% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
187 | +87% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
179 | +79% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
221 | +121% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
213 | +113% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lake Charles Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lake Charles Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lake Charles zip codes.
Lake Charles Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lake Charles, LA?
Lake Charles, LA has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 82% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 133 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 23 chance for property crime. Lake Charles has higher crime than 94% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lake Charles, LA safe to live in?
Lake Charles has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lake Charles is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake Charles?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lake Charles is 753.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 98% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 133 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 9.4 per 100K (88% above average); aggravated assault at 547.1 per 100K (104% above average); robbery at 134.6 per 100K (82% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Lake Charles?
The estimated property crime rate in Lake Charles is 4,263.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 133% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 23 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 483.2 per 100K (79% above average); larceny/theft at 3,100.0 per 100K (121% above average); vehicle theft at 680.1 per 100K (113% above average).
How does Lake Charles crime compare to the national average?
Lake Charles's overall crime rate is 82% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (121% above average), while burglary is 79% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lake Charles has higher crime than 94% of them.
Is Lake Charles safe to visit?
Visitors to Lake Charles should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 133% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Lake Charles crime compare to the rest of Louisiana?
Louisiana as a whole has crime that is 17% above the national average. Lake Charles's crime rate is 82% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Louisiana city.
What type of crime is most common in Lake Charles?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lake Charles, with an estimated rate of 3,100.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 121% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (4,263 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (754 per 100K) in Lake Charles, which is consistent with national trends.