1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lake Charles, LA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lake Charles, Louisiana as of October 2026. That's +31% lower than the citywide median of $1,329 and +34% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Lake Charles
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Lake Charles
Compare Lake Charles's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Louisiana
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monroe | $700 |
| 2 | Pineville | $720 |
| 3 | Deridder | $740 |
| 4 | Ruston | $780 |
| 5 | Sulphur | $800 |
| 6 | West Monroe | $820 |
| 7 | Alexandria | $825 |
| 8 | New Iberia | $830 |
| 9 | Westlake | $870 |
| 10 | Shreveport | $913 |
| 11 | Lake Charles (this page) | $915 |
| 12 | Broussard | $930 |
| 13 | Thibodaux | $930 |
| 14 | Ponchatoula | $940 |
| 15 | Eden Isle | $941 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Louisiana
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | River Ridge | $1,540 |
| 2 | Mandeville | $1,440 |
| 3 | Elmwood | $1,424 |
| 4 | Covington | $1,400 |
| 5 | Gonzales | $1,320 |
| 6 | New Orleans | $1,319 |
| 7 | Slidell | $1,287 |
| 8 | Destrehan | $1,260 |
| 9 | Harvey | $1,250 |
| 10 | Westwego | $1,220 |
| 11 | Prairieville | $1,220 |
| 12 | Zachary | $1,200 |
| 13 | Metairie | $1,194 |
| 14 | Marrero | $1,190 |
| 15 | Denham Springs | $1,160 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Lake Charles.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Lake Charles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake, LA | 5.3 mi | $870 | $-45 (-5%) |
| Sulphur, LA | 12.7 mi | $800 | $-115 (-13%) |
| Deridder, LA | 42 mi | $740 | $-175 (-19%) |
| Orange, TX | 47.4 mi | $903 | $-12 (-1%) |
| Port Arthur, TX | 48.9 mi | $880 | $-35 (-4%) |
| Nederland, TX | 56.1 mi | $1,080 | +$165 (+18%) |
| Beaumont, TX | 65.7 mi | $940 | +$25 (+3%) |
| Lumberton, TX | 67.4 mi | $880 | $-35 (-4%) |
| Lafayette, LA | 81.7 mi | $978 | +$63 (+7%) |
| Youngsville, LA | 83.7 mi | $1,120 | +$205 (+22%) |
| Broussard, LA | 89.3 mi | $930 | +$15 (+2%) |
| Alexandria, LA | 90 mi | $825 | $-90 (-10%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Lake Charles — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Lake Charles?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $915 per month. This is +31% below the citywide median of $1,329.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Lake Charles?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $36,600 ($3,050/month gross), which works out to roughly $17.60/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Charles expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Charles's 1-bedroom median of $915 is +34% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 14th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Charles rank for 1-bedroom rent in Louisiana?
Among the 41 cities in Louisiana with 1-bedroom data, Lake Charles ranks #11 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Lake Charles?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Westlake ($870), Sulphur ($800), Deridder ($740).