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City Report · LA

Westlake

Pop. 4,743·21st most expensive in Louisiana·Rental market data updated monthly for Westlake, LA
Median rent (all units)
$1,499/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+9.7%
vs US Median
-$466
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Westlake · $1,499
More affordable than 76% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,499/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$60,000/yr
Local median income
$68,381/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Westlake's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$870
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$1,140
3 BR
$1,380
4 BR+
$1,510
Research median
$1,140/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$17,988/yr
At $1,499/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +9.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Westlake, LA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 24.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,743
Median income
$68,381
Median age
40
Renters
24.6%
Age distribution
19.1%
25.8%
21.2%
24%
Under 1819.1%
18–3425.8%
35–5421.2%
55–649.9%
65+24%
Gender
49.1%
50.9%
Male49.1%
Female50.9%
Race & ethnicity
81.7%
White81.7%
Black9.4%
Hispanic2.9%
Asian3.7%
Other2.3%
Education (25+)
31%
34%
24.1%
No HS diploma10.9%
HS diploma31%
Some college34%
Bachelor's+24.1%
Housing tenure
75.4%
24.6%
Owner75.4%
Renter24.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Westlake, LA has changed in 5 years

Income
$60,690 → $68,381
up 12.7%
Population
4,858 → 4,743
down 2.4%
Renter share
16.5% → 24.6%
+8.1 pts
Bachelor's+
19.5% → 24.1%
+4.6 pts
Median age
35.8 → 40
+4.2 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Westlake, LA now reports about $68,381, up from $60,690 in 2021. Census counts show Westlake, LA losing about 115 residents over the five-year window, down 2.4% on net. The renter share has risen from 16.5% to 24.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 19.5% to 24.1% across the same window.

Community

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View Westlake rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Westlake on your salary?

At $1,499/mo, how Westlake rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Westlake rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Westlake

About renting in Westlake, LA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Westlake is $1,499/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,140/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,380/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($68,381/yr), Westlake ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Westlake an affordable city for renters?

Westlake is considered affordable for renters. At $1,499/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($68,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Westlake falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Westlake?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $60,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,499/mo in Westlake. The local median household income is $68,381/yr, meaning the typical Westlake household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Westlake?

Rent in Westlake has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Westlake rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

Westlake is middle-of-the-pack for Louisiana for rent, ranking #21 out of 46 tracked cities at $1,499/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Westlake?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Westlake ($1,499/mo): Orange ($1,137/mo), Sulphur ($1,216/mo), Lake Charles ($1,270/mo).

What percentage of Westlake residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.6% of Westlake households are renters, while 75.4% are owner-occupied. Westlake leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Westlake rent compare to the national average?

Westlake's median rent of $1,499/mo is $466 (24%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #21 out of 46 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,499/mo, rent takes ~26% of Westlake's median household income ($68,381/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Westlake 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.85–4.25%
Run the Westlake affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Westlake, LA

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