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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Lake CharlesvsChicago

Moving from Lake Charles to Chicago will cost approximately $277,707 more on median home prices (112.2% higher). Monthly rent is $1,157 more expensive in Chicago. Median income is 24.9% higher in Chicago, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
112.2% more
Rent
112.2% more
View Lake CharlesView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Lake Charles, LA

Median Home Price$247,567
Monthly Rent$1,032
Median Income$58,621
Population76,066
Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274+112.2%
Monthly Rent
$2,189+112.2%
Median Income
$73,194+24.9%
Population2,720,556
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Lake Charles

2015N/A
2020$980
2025$1,032

Chicago

2015$1,513
2020$1,592
2025$2,189

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Chicago.

Lake Charles

Housing$8,148
Food$5,985
Transport$12,812
Healthcare$11,978
Total$37,078

Chicago

Housing$7,516
Food$5,442
Transport$13,003
Healthcare$12,465
Total$50,964
Costs

Key Insights

112.2%
Housing Cost
more expensive in Chicago
$1,157
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
24.9%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Lake Charles

Population76,066
Median Age31.8 yrs
Violent Crime Rate663 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2529 per 100k

Chicago

Population2,720,556
Median Age34.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate345 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1393 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Lake Charles

663
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2529
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Lake Charles?

Lake Charles is 112.2% cheaper for housing than Chicago. The median home price in Lake Charles is $247,567 compared to $525,274 in Chicago.

What is the rent difference between Lake Charles and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Lake Charles averages $1,032. That's a difference of $1,157 per month, or $13,885 annually.

How do incomes compare between Lake Charles and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 24.9% higher than Lake Charles's median of $58,621.

Which city is safer: Lake Charles or Chicago?

Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 663 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 per 100k. Chicago is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.