Lake Charles, LA vs Oak Forest, 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
Oak Forest
77.2
#270 nationally
Oak Forest leads in crime level (2.4 vs 16.8). Lake Charles leads in average commute (18 min vs 32.3 min). Oak Forest leads in median household income ($89,758 vs $54,761).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lake Charles, LA | Oak Forest, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.2 (#371) | 77.2 (#270) |
| Population | 79,633 | 26,199 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $206,355 | $303,574 |
| Median Household Income | $54,761 | $89,758 |
| Average Commute | 18 min | 32.3 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 36 |
| Crime Level | 16.8 | 2.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 104 |
| 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+
77.2 Score
Oak Forest, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$303,574
Population
26,199
Crime
Low
Walk Score
36
Midwest
View Oak Forest, IL →
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