Can A Firefighter Afford Rent in Lake Charles, LA?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 27.9% of gross income.
Lake Charles rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Louisiana state estimate).
About rent and a firefighter salary
Firefighter base pay plus typical overtime sits modestly above the US median household income, but local rent levels determine whether that translates into affordability or rent burden. At the national-average firefighter base salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,570 a month in rent. The per-city pages compare local rent against local firefighter-pay estimates so renters can see where rent stays in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Louisiana cities have lower median rent than Lake Charles, which improves the affordability math on a firefighter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Lake Charles
View full rent data for Lake Charles, LA →Frequently asked questions
Can a firefighter afford rent in Lake Charles, LA?
Median rent in Lake Charles is $1,270 a month. A typical firefighter in Louisiana earns about $54,645 a year, which makes that rent 27.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a firefighter afford in Lake Charles?
Using the 30% rule, a firefighter salary in Louisiana (~$54,645/yr) supports up to $1,366 a month in rent. Lake Charles's current median rent is $1,270/mo, which leaves a $96/mo buffer.
How many hours does a firefighter work to cover rent in Lake Charles?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a firefighter in Louisiana works roughly 48.3 hours a month to cover Lake Charles's median rent of $1,270.
Where is rent cheaper than Lake Charles for a firefighter?
Nearby Louisiana cities with lower median rent include Lafayette ($1,269/mo), Houma ($1,268/mo), Sulphur ($1,266/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a firefighter salary.