ZIP Code · LA

ZIP 70601

Part of Lake Charles, LA

Pop. 30,872·Calcasieu Parish·84th most expensive ZIP in Louisiana

Median rent (all units)

$1,039/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.8%

Month-over-Month

+1.7%

vs US Median

-$893

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 70601 · $1,039

More affordable than 97% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$810

1 BR

$820

2 BR

$1,070

3 BR

$1,280

4 BR+

$1,420

Research median

$1,070/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 70601 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Louisiana

Rent in ZIP 70601 changed +10.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 75 Louisiana ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.0%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($49,992) is $1,250 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,070); a 3-bedroom is $1,280.

Rank in Lake Charles

1st cheapest of 4 ZIP codes in Lake Charles.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 70601. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$12,468/yr

At $1,039/mo median

Location

CityLake Charles

StateLA

CountyCalcasieu Parish

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.8% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 70601 (Lake Charles, LA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 25.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

30,872

Median income

$49,992

Median age

38.4

Renters

41.1%

Age distribution

19.9%

23.3%

23.8%

15.3%

17.7%

Under 1819.9%

18–3423.3%

35–5423.8%

55–6415.3%

65+17.7%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

29.6%

58.7%

White29.6%

Black58.7%

Hispanic6%

Asian0.6%

Other5.1%

Education (25+)

13.6%

29.7%

31.5%

25.2%

No HS diploma13.6%

HS diploma29.7%

Some college31.5%

Bachelor's+25.2%

Housing tenure

58.9%

41.1%

Owner58.9%

Renter41.1%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 70601 in Lake Charles, LA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$884 → $1,039

up 17.5%

Income

$44,108 → $49,992

up 13.3%

Population

34,365 → 30,872

down 10.2%

Renter share

44.2% → 41.1%

-3.1 pts

Bachelor's+

22.7% → 25.2%

+2.5 pts

Median age

36.5 → 38.4

+1.9 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in ZIP 70601 in Lake Charles, LA has climbed by $155 per month, settling near $1,039 after starting the period at $884. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 70601 in Lake Charles, LA now reports about $49,992, up from $44,108 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 4.2 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 34,365 to 30,872 between 2021 and 2024, a 10.2% change. About 41.1% of households rent today, against 44.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 22.7% to 25.2%. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 70601 in Lake Charles, LA reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 70601

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 70601 covers Lake Charles, LA. The median rent here is $1,039/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $820/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,070/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($49,992/yr), ZIP 70601 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 70601?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $42,000/year (about $20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,039/mo in ZIP 70601. The local median household income is $49,992/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 70601?

Rent in ZIP 70601 has risen 10.8% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2022.

How does ZIP 70601 compare to other ZIPs in Louisiana?

ZIP 70601 is one of the more affordable among Louisiana ZIP codes for rent, ranking #84 of 92 at $1,039/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 70601 changed +10.8%, against a typical +3.0% across the 75 Louisiana ZIP codes Zillow tracks.