Living in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lake Charles · Census data 2020–2024
Lake Charles has 81,143 residents with a median age of 36.6. The median household income is $59,235 (about the same as the Louisiana median), the median home value is $214,300, the median rent is $1,109/month.
Lake Charles at a glance
- Population
- 81,143
- Median age
- 36.6State: 38
- Median household income
- $59,235State: $60,756
- Median home value
- $214,300State: $216,500
- Median rent
- $1,109/moState: $1,064
- Homeowners
- 60.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.1%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Lake Charles a good place to live?
Pros: Home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the Louisiana median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 23.3%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Lake Charles
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lake Charles the median home value is $214,300, 36% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,109 per month, which is 34.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,543 a month in housing costs.
Lake Charles median household income
The median household income in Lake Charles is $59,235 and the income per person is $35,860. 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Louisiana: 18.9%).
Housing in Lake Charles: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 40,742
- Owner-occupied
- 60.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 39.1%
- Vacant
- 21.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1981
- Average household size
- 2.46
Lake Charles demographics
- Population
- 81,143
- Median age
- 36.6
- Under 18
- 21.9%
- 65 and older
- 16.9%
- Households
- 32,077
- Foreign-born
- 5.6%
- Veterans
- 7.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lake Charles ›
Education in Lake Charles
29.1% of adults 25 and older in Lake Charles have a bachelor's degree or higher (Louisiana: 27%), and 10.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lake Charles
- Unemployment rate
- 6.6%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 5%
- Drive alone
- 80.2%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.4%
Lake Charles vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles | 81,143 | $59,235 | $214,300 | $1,109 |
| Prien | 7,119 | $87,292 | $278,000 | $1,292 |
| Westlake | 4,743 | $68,381 | $166,100 | $1,049 |
| Moss Bluff | 12,482 | $92,036 | $252,900 | $1,324 |
| Sulphur | 20,775 | $61,760 | $182,900 | $994 |
| Carlyss | 4,412 | $78,179 | $173,200 | $1,358 |
| Iowa | 3,200 | $59,779 | $249,200 | $1,098 |
| Hayes | 690 | $140,278 | $173,100 | — |
| Hackberry | 899 | $105,263 | $231,300 | — |
More for people moving to Lake Charles
Lake Charles ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lake Charles: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lake Charles, LA?
The median household income in Lake Charles is $59,235, about the same as the Louisiana median of $60,756 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Lake Charles?
The median home value in Lake Charles is $214,300, compared with $216,500 in Louisiana.
How much is rent in Lake Charles?
The median gross rent in Lake Charles is $1,109 per month, about 34.6% of household income.
Is Lake Charles, LA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes. Minuses: median household income about the same as the Louisiana median; unemployment of 6.6%; a poverty rate of 23.3%.
What is the median age in Lake Charles?
The median age in Lake Charles is 36.6 years (Louisiana: 38).
How long is the commute in Lake Charles?
The average commute to work in Lake Charles is 17 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lake Charles?
The unemployment rate in Lake Charles is 6.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lake Charles?
29.1% of adults in Lake Charles have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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