2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Lake Charles, LA vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
Are people in West Des Moines older or younger than people in Lake Charles?
- The Median Age in West Des Moines is 0.5 years older than in Lake Charles.

Are housing costs cheaper in West Des Moines or Lake Charles?
- West Des Moines housing costs are 57.4% more expensive than Lake Charles housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, West Des Moines or Lake Charles?
- The average commute for residents of West Des Moines is 0.5 minutes longer than it is for residents of Lake Charles.

Things to do in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles Louisiana makes the perfect spot for anyone looking for water-related activities such as fishing on Lake Charles or sampling some fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants along Lake Street.

Things to do in West Des Moines?
West Des Moines, Iowa is a vibrant city located in the greater Des Moines area. This lively town offers an array of exciting attractions for visitors to explore such as the beautiful Living History Farms or the thrilling Adventureland Amusement Park. Residents here also enjoy plenty of outdoor activities at Raccoon River or Water Works Park. With its excellent school systems, thriving businesses, and wide range of recreational activities, it's no wonder why so many people choose to make West Des Moines their home.

 Lake Charles, LAWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Population  Unlock67,640329,725,481
 Median Income$49,913  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock36.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$179,400  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock3.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time16.67  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Lake Charles    34 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

I’ve lived in the city for years and it’s great, you should really check it  More

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Over 4 years ago

Lake Charles, Louisiana is one of the absolute creepiest cities in the USA. The people feel dead inside. They also seem to secretly hate each other. It is also an  More

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Beware reader, the city of Lake Charles is an absolute sh*thole. If you are traveling through I-10 you might want to skip this place. This place is the very worst of the  More

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Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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