Lake Charles, LA vs Melrose Park, IL
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.
Lake Charles
76.2
#371 nationally
Melrose Park
73.7
#688 nationally
Melrose Park leads in crime level (8.3 vs 16.8). Melrose Park leads in walk score (68 vs 37). Lake Charles leads in average commute (18 min vs 26.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Melrose Park, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#371) | 73.7 (#688) |
| Population | 79,633 | 23,666 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $206,355 | $326,590 |
| Median Household Income | $54,761 | $64,400 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 16.8 | 8.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+39.6 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C
73.7 Score
Melrose Park, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$326,590
Population
23,666
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Midwest
View Melrose Park, IL →
Try a different matchup
Swap Lake Charles for: