Studio Apartment Rent in Lake Charles, LA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Lake Charles, Louisiana as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,270 and +29% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in Louisiana
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pineville | $680 |
| 2 | Monroe | $700 |
| 3 | New Iberia | $710 |
| 4 | Deridder | $720 |
| 5 | Ruston | $720 |
| 6 | Leesville | $740 |
| 7 | Broussard | $750 |
| 8 | Alexandria | $770 |
| 9 | Lafayette | $776 |
| 10 | Thibodaux | $780 |
| 11 | Shreveport | $785 |
| 12 | Sulphur | $790 |
| 13 | West Monroe | $820 |
| 14 | Houma | $830 |
| 15 | Bossier City | $843 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Louisiana
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmwood | $1,636 |
| 2 | Belle Chasse | $1,450 |
| 3 | River Ridge | $1,330 |
| 4 | Gonzales | $1,300 |
| 5 | Mandeville | $1,245 |
| 6 | Covington | $1,220 |
| 7 | Prairieville | $1,200 |
| 8 | Zachary | $1,180 |
| 9 | New Orleans | $1,142 |
| 10 | Denham Springs | $1,140 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge | $1,135 |
| 12 | Slidell | $1,117 |
| 13 | Destrehan | $1,090 |
| 14 | Harvey | $1,080 |
| 15 | Westwego | $1,060 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Lake Charles.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Lake Charles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake, LA | 5.3 mi | $870 | $-40 (-4%) |
| Sulphur, LA | 12.7 mi | $790 | $-120 (-13%) |
| Deridder, LA | 42 mi | $720 | $-190 (-21%) |
| Port Arthur, TX | 48.9 mi | $880 | $-30 (-3%) |
| Nederland, TX | 56.1 mi | $1,080 | +$170 (+19%) |
| Beaumont, TX | 65.7 mi | $922 | +$12 (+1%) |
| Lumberton, TX | 67.4 mi | $870 | $-40 (-4%) |
| Leesville, LA | 67.7 mi | $740 | $-170 (-19%) |
| Lafayette, LA | 81.7 mi | $776 | $-134 (-15%) |
| Youngsville, LA | 83.7 mi | $890 | $-20 (-2%) |
| Broussard, LA | 89.3 mi | $750 | $-160 (-18%) |
| Alexandria, LA | 90 mi | $770 | $-140 (-15%) |
Studio rent in Lake Charles — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Lake Charles?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Lake Charles, Louisiana is $910 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,270.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Lake Charles?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $36,400 ($3,033/month gross), which works out to roughly $17.50/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lake Charles expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Lake Charles's studio median of $910 is +29% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 20th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lake Charles rank for studio rent in Louisiana?
Among the 43 cities in Louisiana with studio data, Lake Charles ranks #18 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Lake Charles?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Westlake ($870), Sulphur ($790), Deridder ($720).