Elgin 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)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
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
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 81,679 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 4.7% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 5.2% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.6% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 4.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $56,864 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $35,847 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 23.2% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 61.1% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 45.6% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.2% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.7% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.0% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 62.4 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Elgin, 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
Elgin
30.4 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Elgin 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, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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