Aurora, IL vs Lake Charles, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Aurora
73.2
#764 nationally
Lake Charles
76.2
#371 nationally
Aurora leads in crime level (7.3 vs 16.8). Lake Charles leads in average commute (18 min vs 28.6 min). Aurora leads in median household income ($85,943 vs $54,761).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Lake Charles, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#764) | 76.2 (#371) |
| Population | 177,563 | 79,633 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $326,890 | $206,355 |
| Median Household Income | $85,943 | $54,761 |
| Average Commute | 28.6 min | 18 min |
| Walk Score | 40 | 37 |
| Crime Level | 7.3 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 94 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.3 | R+39.6 |
C
73.2 Score
Aurora, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$326,890
Population
177,563
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Aurora, IL →
C
76.2 Score
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$206,355
Population
79,633
Crime
High
Walk Score
37
Southeast
View Lake Charles, LA →
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