salaryRent is lower than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.4 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,680 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Louisiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Louisiana. It is number 60 of 102 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Lake Charles?
Share of households by yearly income. 19.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Lake Charles
| Size | Lake Charles | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,004 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $940 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,185 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,311 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,799 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Lake Charles overall?
Everyday prices in the Lake Charles metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Lake Charles
Life in Lake Charles
What jobs pay in Lake Charles
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,720 | 11.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,460 | 11.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,160 | 11.7% |
| Software Developer | $120,940 | 12.3% |
| Lawyer | $101,690 | 14.7% |
| Operations Manager | $101,370 | 14.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,490 | 15.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $91,210 | 16.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $90,690 | 16.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,080 | 17.7% |
| Accountant | $70,050 | 21.3% |
| Plumber | $67,990 | 21.9% |
| Electrician | $63,620 | 23.4% |
| Police Officer | $56,290 | 26.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $53,300 | 28.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $51,520 | 28.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $51,080 | 29.2% |
| Truck Driver | $49,960 | 29.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $47,360 | 31.5% |
| Carpenter | $45,930 | 32.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,550 | 38.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $35,740 | 41.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $35,080 | 42.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $33,850 | 44.0% |
| Firefighter | $29,550 | 50.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,780 | 51.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $28,550 | 52.2% |
| Cashier | $27,480 | 54.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $15,080 | 98.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Lake Charles?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $245 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $214,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,430 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lake Charles, LA?
Renting in Lake Charles costs a median of about $1,242 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Louisiana median is $1,165.
How much do I need to make to live in Lake Charles?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,680 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Charles cheap or expensive?
Lake Charles is rated OK: rent takes 23.3% of the typical household income of $63,885. It ranks 60th cheapest of 102 Louisiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Lake Charles?
The median homeowner in Lake Charles pays $774 a year in property taxes, about 0.36% of the median home value.
Is Lake Charles more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Lake Charles?
The median home value in Lake Charles is $214,300, about 3.4 times the typical yearly household income.
81,143 people live in Lake Charles. Numbers are typical (middle) values.