How much does it cost to rent in Lake Charles, LA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Lake Charles, LA is $1,270. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Lake Charles cheaper than other Louisiana cities?

Lake Charles is among the more affordable cities in Louisiana, ranking #38 out of 46 cities at $1,270/mo.

When was Lake Charles rent data last updated?

Lake Charles rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · LA

Lake Charles

Name: Average Rent Prices in Lake Charles, LA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 81,143·38th most expensive in Louisiana·Lake Charles rents are up 23.7% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,270/mo

Year-over-Year

+23.7%

Month-over-Month

+6.2%

vs US Median

-$695

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Lake Charles · $1,270

More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

26% of income

AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,270/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$51,000/yr

Local median income

$59,235/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lake Charles's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$910

1 BR

$915

2 BR

$1,193

3 BR

$1,443

4 BR+

$1,583

Research median

$1,193/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$15,240/yr

At $1,270/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 23.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+23.7% YoY, +6.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Lake Charles, LA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 29.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

81,143

Median income

$59,235

Median age

36.6

Renters

39.1%

Age distribution

21.9%

26.3%

22.7%

12.1%

16.9%

Under 1821.9%

18–3426.3%

35–5422.7%

55–6412.1%

65+16.9%

Gender

49.4%

50.6%

Male49.4%

Female50.6%

Race & ethnicity

46.1%

42.4%

White46.1%

Black42.4%

Hispanic5.7%

Asian2.7%

Other3%

Education (25+)

29.3%

32.1%

29.1%

No HS diploma9.5%

HS diploma29.3%

Some college32.1%

Bachelor's+29.1%

Housing tenure

60.9%

39.1%

Owner60.9%

Renter39.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Lake Charles, LA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,135 → $1,270

up 11.9%

Income

$49,913 → $59,235

up 18.7%

Population

83,444 → 81,143

down 2.8%

Renter share

42% → 39.1%

-2.9 pts

Bachelor's+

27.8% → 29.1%

+1.3 pts

Median age

35.6 → 36.6

+1.0 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Lake Charles, LA paid around $1,135 a month. That figure now sits near $1,270, up 11.9% from the 2021 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $49,913 in 2021 to $59,235 more recently. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Lake Charles, LA losing about 2,301 residents over the five-year window, down 2.8% on net. The renter share has eased from 42% to 39.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Lake Charles, LA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Lake Charles

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View Lake Charles rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lake Charles on your salary?

At $1,270/mo, how Lake Charles rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $82,198/yr · Rent = 18.5% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $58,360/yr · Rent = 26.1% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $67,225/yr · Rent = 22.7% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $120,156/yr · Rent = 12.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $153,529/yr · Rent = 9.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $54,645/yr · Rent = 27.9% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $49,338/yr · Rent = 30.9% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $60,813/yr · Rent = 25.1% income

affordable

By apartment size

Lake Charles rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Lake Charles. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lake Charles

About renting in Lake Charles, LA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lake Charles is $1,270/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,193/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $915/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,443/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($59,235/yr), Lake Charles ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 23.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Charles an affordable city for renters?

Lake Charles is considered affordable for renters. At $1,270/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($59,235/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lake Charles falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lake Charles?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,270/mo in Lake Charles. The local median household income is $59,235/yr, meaning the typical Lake Charles household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lake Charles?

Rent in Lake Charles has increased 23.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Lake Charles neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lake Charles are 70601 ($1,018/mo), 70611 ($1,290/mo), and 70607 ($1,326/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lake Charles is $1,270/mo.

How does Lake Charles rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

Lake Charles is one of the more affordable cities in Louisiana for rent, ranking #38 out of 46 tracked cities at $1,270/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lake Charles?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lake Charles ($1,270/mo): Orange ($1,137/mo), Sulphur ($1,216/mo).

What percentage of Lake Charles residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.1% of Lake Charles households are renters, while 60.9% are owner-occupied. Lake Charles leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lake Charles rent compare to the national average?

Lake Charles's median rent of $1,270/mo is $695 (35%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #38 out of 46 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

26%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,270/mo, rent takes ~26% of Lake Charles's median household income ($59,235/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lake Charles 26%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1.85–4.25%

Run the Lake Charles affordability calculator →

Nearby cities