Lake Charles LA vs Springfield 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 40.7 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 4.5% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 47.3% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 42.8% | 19.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 3.4% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Springfield
41.1%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.1% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Springfield, 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 +
Springfield
19.4 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 19.4 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield 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, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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