Chicago 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Lake Charles
36.2
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 81,679 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.2 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 4.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 28.4% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.6% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 4.7% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $56,864 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $35,847 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 23.2% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 29.4% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 45.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.2% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.7% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.0% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 62.4 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Chicago, 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
Chicago
36.5 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Chicago 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX