Lake Charles LA vs Waukegan 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%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lake Charles
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Lake Charles
4.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Lake Charles
47.3%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Lake Charles
2.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Lake Charles
4.7%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Lake Charles
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 81,679 | 33,889 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.6 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 47.3% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 42.8% | 11.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lake Charles
$56,864
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Lake Charles
$35,847
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lake Charles
$55,297
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Lake Charles
5.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Lake Charles
23.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lake Charles
29.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,864 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,847 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Lake Charles
61.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,081 | $239,865 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
643
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
2824
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
45.6%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
16.2%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lake Charles
19.7%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
15.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lake Charles
18.0%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 21.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lake Charles
62.4 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.4 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waukegan, 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 +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 33.7 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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