3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lake Charles, LA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Lake Charles, Louisiana as of August 2026. That's +10% higher than the citywide median of $1,313 and +32% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Louisiana
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monroe | $1,160 |
| 2 | Opelousas | $1,190 |
| 3 | Deridder | $1,210 |
| 4 | New Iberia | $1,210 |
| 5 | Leesville | $1,260 |
| 6 | Sulphur | $1,260 |
| 7 | Pineville | $1,290 |
| 8 | Ruston | $1,290 |
| 9 | Shreveport | $1,348 |
| 10 | Broussard | $1,350 |
| 11 | West Monroe | $1,370 |
| 12 | Thibodaux | $1,380 |
| 13 | Westlake | $1,380 |
| 14 | Lafayette | $1,390 |
| 15 | Hammond | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Louisiana
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belle Chasse | $2,560 |
| 2 | Mandeville | $2,200 |
| 3 | Covington | $2,150 |
| 4 | Harahan | $2,083 |
| 5 | New Orleans | $2,015 |
| 6 | Slidell | $1,970 |
| 7 | Destrehan | $1,930 |
| 8 | Harvey | $1,900 |
| 9 | Westwego | $1,870 |
| 10 | Gonzales | $1,860 |
| 11 | La Place | $1,850 |
| 12 | Metairie | $1,824 |
| 13 | Marrero | $1,810 |
| 14 | Gretna | $1,765 |
| 15 | Kenner | $1,760 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Lake Charles.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Lake Charles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake, LA | 5.3 mi | $1,380 | $-63 (-4%) |
| Sulphur, LA | 12.7 mi | $1,260 | $-183 (-13%) |
| Deridder, LA | 42 mi | $1,210 | $-233 (-16%) |
| Bridge City, TX | 43.6 mi | $1,400 | $-43 (-3%) |
| Orange, TX | 47.4 mi | $1,194 | $-249 (-17%) |
| Port Arthur, TX | 48.9 mi | $1,400 | $-43 (-3%) |
| Nederland, TX | 56.1 mi | $1,720 | +$277 (+19%) |
| Beaumont, TX | 65.7 mi | $1,492 | +$49 (+3%) |
| Lumberton, TX | 67.4 mi | $1,390 | $-53 (-4%) |
| Leesville, LA | 67.7 mi | $1,260 | $-183 (-13%) |
| Opelousas, LA | 80.6 mi | $1,190 | $-253 (-18%) |
| Lafayette, LA | 81.7 mi | $1,390 | $-53 (-4%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Lake Charles — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Lake Charles?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $1,443 per month. This is +10% higher than the citywide median of $1,313.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Lake Charles?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $57,720 ($4,810/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.75/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Charles expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Charles's 3-bedroom median of $1,443 is +32% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 13th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Charles rank for 3-bedroom rent in Louisiana?
Among the 43 cities in Louisiana with 3-bedroom data, Lake Charles ranks #16 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Lake Charles?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Westlake ($1,380), Sulphur ($1,260), Deridder ($1,210).