Astoria is residential and LIC is industrial yet both have excellent shops and nightclubs. LIC also has a striving artistic community. Parts of LIC is like Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Parts of Astoria is like Bensenhurst.
Yes -- there are differences, but those areas of Queens resemble many area of Brooklyn, and you ll never want for things to do in Astoria -- LIC is different but also has restaurants, clubs, etc.