Lake Charles LA vs Rockford IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.5 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 47.3% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 42.8% | 21.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $53,328 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $30,409 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 23.2% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 53.8% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Rockford
44.7%
Rockford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Lake Charles +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 44.7% | Rockford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.0% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.1% | Lake Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 22.7 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford 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, Rockford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 44.7%.
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