Cost of Living in Lake Charles, LA
Updated November 2026 · Calcasieu Parish · Lake Charles, LA metro area · population 81,143
Prices in Lake Charles are 12.8% below the US average (local index 87.2; the BEA index for the Lake Charles, LA metro area is 85.9), with local housing the biggest saving at 53.2; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,267 a month and the median rent is $1,109.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Lake Charles's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Lake Charles, LA metro area, unchanged.
Lake Charles price index by category, US average = 100: All items 87.2, Housing (rents) 53.2, Goods 93.7, Utilities 71.7, Other services 95.7
It is the 7th most expensive of the 9 Louisiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 98% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.9 | 91.2 | 90.6 | 89.5 | 87.1 | 85.9 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Lake Charles, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $739 | $8,868 | 33% |
| Utilities | $221 | $2,652 | 10% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 12% |
| Transportation | $549 | $6,588 | 24% |
| Health care | $336 | $4,032 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $158 | $1,896 | 7% |
| Total | $2,267 | $27,204 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Lake Charles, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $932 | $11,184 | 25% |
| Utilities | $349 | $4,188 | 9% |
| Food at home | $488 | $5,856 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,086 | $13,032 | 29% |
| Health care | $623 | $7,476 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $311 | $3,732 | 8% |
| Total | $3,789 | $45,468 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Lake Charles, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,031 | $12,372 | 23% |
| Utilities | $425 | $5,100 | 9% |
| Food at home | $696 | $8,352 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,445 | $17,340 | 32% |
| Health care | $581 | $6,972 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $400 | $4,800 | 9% |
| Total | $4,578 | $54,936 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Lake Charles
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $954 |
| 1 bedroom | $893 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,126 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,246 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,710 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,109 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $918 |
| Median home value | $214,300 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,543/mo |
| Median household income | $59,235 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 34.6% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.6× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Louisiana
12.87¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +2.5% (from 12.55¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,211 kWh a month in Louisiana ≈ $158/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +44.8% (from $2.51) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Louisiana is covered by the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Lake Charles are 12.8% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $68,800 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 87.2. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur, TX | 46 mi | 89.6 | $2,243 | $1,021 |
| Beaumont, TX | 56 mi | 90.7 | $2,289 | $1,121 |
| Lafayette, LA | 71 mi | 89.1 | $2,301 | $1,100 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moulton, AL | 87.1 | $1,950 | $655 |
| Fort Smith, AR | 87.1 | $2,001 | $884 |
| Dubuque, IA | 87.3 | $2,148 | $948 |
| Grand Forks, ND | 87.3 | $2,289 | $980 |
| McAlester, OK | 86.9 | $2,053 | $915 |
| Enid, OK | 86.8 | $2,108 | $914 |
Compare Lake Charles with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Charles, LA an expensive place to live?
Lake Charles has a local cost of living index of 87.2, which is 12.8% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Lake Charles, LA metro area (85.9) and adjusts housing to Lake Charles's own rents. It is 1.0 points below the Louisiana average. It is the 7th most expensive of the 9 Louisiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 98% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Lake Charles?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,267 for a single adult, $3,789 for a couple and $4,578 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $52,300 in Lake Charles.
What is the average rent in Lake Charles?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,109 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $893, 2 bedrooms $1,126, 3 bedrooms $1,246. The typical renter spends 34.6% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Lake Charles?
The median owner-estimated home value is $214,300, 3.6 times the median household income of $59,235 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,543 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Lake Charles?
Louisiana residential electricity averaged 12.87¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.64 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Lake Charles, LA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 85.9) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 2241155 (Lake Charles city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Louisiana residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources