Le Jolliet
4101 5th Ave,
Lake Charles, LA 70607
2-3 Beds | $760 - $1,073
Rental Market Trends in Lake Charles, LA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in Lake Charles, LA is $1,161/month.
Rent in Lake Charles is 30% lower than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.
$1,161/month
Average Rent
708 Sq Ft
Average Size
+17.1%
Change / Year
406
Available Apartments
Lake Charles rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Lake Charles average $886 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Lake Charles average $1,161 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Lake Charles average $1,363 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Lake Charles average $1,479 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Lake Charles, LA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 17.1%, which averages out to $198 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Lake Charles, LA
September 2026
$700 - $1,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
6%
Below $700/month
45%
$700 - $1,000/month
25%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
23%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
1%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
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.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average 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.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average 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 .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Lake Charles, LA?
Because the average rent in Lake Charles is $1,161, you’ll want to make about $3,870 per month or $46,440 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 $886 - $1,479. You can expect to pay 4.4% less for groceries, 27.8% less for utilities, and 0.5% more for transportation.
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 GuideStudio
$1,141/month
$1,141/month
One Bedroom
$1,248/month
$1,248/month
Two Bedroom
$1,574/month
$1,574/month
Three Bedroom
$1,273/month
$1,273/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
Apartment Communities in Lake Charles We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Lake Charles?
The average rent in Lake Charles is $1,161 per month, which is 30.2% lower than the national average of $1,664.
What is the average rent for a house in Lake Charles?
The average rent for a house in Lake Charles, LA is $2,179 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Lake Charles?
Rents in Lake Charles, LA are increasing, with prices up 17.1% year-over-year and $198 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Lake Charles?
In Lake Charles, LA, 45% of apartments fall between $700 - $1,000/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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 September 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.