Aurora IL vs Lake Charles LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Aurora
24,510
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Aurora +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 81,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 4.7% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 47.3% | Aurora + |
| Black | 2.6% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 4.7% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $56,864 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 23.2% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 61.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 45.6% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.2% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.7% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 18.0% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 62.4 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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