• Renter Tools
    • Favorites
    • Saved Searches
  • Manage Rentals
  • Apartments For Rent
  • Houses For Rent
  • Condos For Rent
  • Townhomes For Rent
  • Help Center
  • Cost of Living in Lake Charles
  • Area Guide
  • Rent Calculator
  • Property Management Companies
English

Language

English Español
Apartments.com Logo
Manage Rentals      Sign Up / Sign In
Add a Property

Rental Market Trends in Lake Charles, LA

Updated July 2026

The average rent in Lake Charles, LA is $1,104/month.

Rent in Lake Charles is 34% lower than the national average rent of $1,662/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.

$1,104/month

Average Rent

704 Sq Ft

Average Size

+13.4%

Change / Year

496

Available Apartments

Lake Charles rent varies by unit size and layout:

  • Studio apartments in Lake Charles average $866 per month.
  • One-bedroom apartments in Lake Charles average $1,104 per month.
  • Two-bedroom apartments in Lake Charles average $1,277 per month.
  • Three-bedroom apartments in Lake Charles average $1,423 or more per month.

Average Rent by Home Type

Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$866/month
220 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,104/month
704 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$1,277/month
976 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$1,423/month
1,150 Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$938/month
660 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$2,027/month
1,068 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$4,322/month
2,544 Sq Ft
View Lake Charles Apartments

How much has average rent changed in Lake Charles, LA?

In the past year, rent has increased by 13.4%, which averages out to $149 more per month.

Market Trends Over Time

July 2026

2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time

Rent Ranges in Lake Charles, LA

July 2026
$700 - $1,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in Lake Charles, LA
Percentage*
Rent Range
6% Below $700/month
47% $700 - $1,000/month
31% $1,001 - $1,500/month
15% $1,501 - $2,000/month
1% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Lake Charles?

Based on current rent prices, Downtown Lake Charles is the most affordable neighborhood in Lake Charles.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Lake Charles
$1,152/month
802 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Lake Charles?

Based on current rent prices, Downtown Lake Charles is the most expensive neighborhood in Lake Charles.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Lake Charles
$1,152/month
802 Sq Ft

Which Lake Charles neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhood in Lake Charles with the most apartments available is Downtown Lake Charles .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Lake Charles
$1,152/month
802 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Lake Charles, LA?

Because the average rent in Lake Charles is $1,104, you’ll want to make about $3,680 per month or $44,160 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Lake Charles, LA is 12.8% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Lake Charles is 30.2% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $866 - $1,423. You can expect to pay 4.4% less for groceries, 27.8% less for utilities, and 0.5% more for transportation.

City

Lake Charles, LA

496 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Lake Charles, LA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Lake Charles, LA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

View the Lake Charles Area Guide

Apartment Averages

Downtown Lake Charles

Lake Charles, LA

Downtown Lake Charles

Lake Charles, LA

Studio
$1,019/month
$1,019/month
One Bedroom
$1,152/month
$1,152/month
Two Bedroom
$1,481/month
$1,481/month
Three Bedroom
$1,271/month
$1,271/month
View Rentals
View Rentals

Compare Rent Trends Nearby

Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.

  • Sulphur

    Sulphur

Apartment Communities in Lake Charles We Think You'll Love

Capstone at the Oaks - 55+ Community

Capstone at the Oaks - 55+ Community

2401 6th St,
Lake Charles, LA 70601

2 Beds | $930

Crescent at Country Club

Crescent at Country Club

1531 Country Club Rd,
Lake Charles, LA 70605

1-3 Beds | $1,245 - $1,670

Evergreen at River Oaks

Evergreen at River Oaks

4650 Nelson Rd,
Lake Charles, LA 70605

1-3 Beds | $1,265 - $2,055

Country Club Cottages

Country Club Cottages

5121 Bayview Pky,
Lake Charles, LA 70605

2-3 Beds | Call for Rent

Rental management, simplified

Our all-in-one suite of property manangement software makes the rental process easy. Screen tenants, manage payments, and more – all on Apartments.com

Manage Your Rentals

Guides for Managing Your Rental

How to Finance a Rental Property

Choose a financing path that fits your first rental.

Rental Property Operating Expenses: What They Are and How to Track Them

Close out the year with a landlord to-do list.

How Landlords Can Cut Costs by Going Eco-Friendly

Try eco upgrades renters notice.

How to Invest in Real Estate with Little Money

Invest in real estate with little cash up front.

Explore Rental Manager Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Lake Charles?

The average rent in Lake Charles is $1,104 per month, which is 33.6% lower than the national average of $1,662.

What is the average rent for a house in Lake Charles?

The average rent for a house in Lake Charles, LA is $2,027 per month.

Are rents going up or down in Lake Charles?

Rents in Lake Charles, LA are increasing, with prices up 13.4% year-over-year and $149 more per month.

What rent range is most common in Lake Charles?

In Lake Charles, LA, 47% of apartments fall between $700 - $1,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.

United States Louisiana Lake Charles Rental Trends

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Notice
  • Avoid Scams
  • Accessibility
  • Blog
  • Newest Listings
  • Sitemap
apartments.com
© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity

Equal Housing Opportunity

© 2026 CoStar Group, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity