3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Lake Charles, LA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Lake Charles, Louisiana as of October 2026. That's +9% higher than the citywide median of $1,329 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 | Deridder | $1,210 |
| 3 | New Iberia | $1,210 |
| 4 | Sulphur | $1,260 |
| 5 | Pineville | $1,290 |
| 6 | Ruston | $1,290 |
| 7 | Shreveport | $1,348 |
| 8 | Broussard | $1,350 |
| 9 | West Monroe | $1,370 |
| 10 | Thibodaux | $1,380 |
| 11 | Westlake | $1,380 |
| 12 | Lafayette | $1,390 |
| 13 | Hammond | $1,440 |
| 14 | Lake Charles (this page) | $1,443 |
| 15 | Bossier City | $1,447 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Louisiana
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | River Ridge | $2,350 |
| 2 | Mandeville | $2,200 |
| 3 | Covington | $2,150 |
| 4 | New Orleans | $2,015 |
| 5 | Slidell | $1,970 |
| 6 | Destrehan | $1,930 |
| 7 | Harvey | $1,900 |
| 8 | Westwego | $1,870 |
| 9 | Gonzales | $1,860 |
| 10 | Metairie | $1,824 |
| 11 | Marrero | $1,810 |
| 12 | Gretna | $1,765 |
| 13 | Kenner | $1,760 |
| 14 | Prairieville | $1,730 |
| 15 | Zachary | $1,700 |
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%) |
| 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%) |
| Lafayette, LA | 81.7 mi | $1,390 | $-53 (-4%) |
| Youngsville, LA | 83.7 mi | $1,600 | +$157 (+11%) |
| Broussard, LA | 89.3 mi | $1,350 | $-93 (-6%) |
| Alexandria, LA | 90 mi | $1,470 | +$27 (+2%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Lake Charles — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Lake Charles?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $1,443 per month. This is +9% higher than the citywide median of $1,329.
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 39 cities in Louisiana with 3-bedroom data, Lake Charles ranks #14 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).