Living in Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles is the 447th-largest city in the US, home to about 83,000 people in 2025. It has lost 2.7% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run well below the national average (85.9 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 82,676-2.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $214,3003.6 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,109/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $59,235median, per year
- Price level
- 85.9US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 63° / 92°lows 43° / 76°
- Average commute
- 17 min5% work from home
- State income tax
- 3%top rate, flat
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County: Calcasieu Parish
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 13 ft
Metro area: Lake Charles, LA
Cost of living in Lake Charles
The median home in Lake Charles is worth $214,300 and the median household earns $59,235 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.6 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,109 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Lake Charles, LA metro area at 85.9, with housing at 51.8 and goods at 93.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $64,400 here. Louisiana taxes wages at a top rate of 3% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Louisiana is 10.13%.
What would my salary be worth in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles weather
Average highs run from 63°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 43°F. It gets 60 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 88 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to April and November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Lake Charles
People and work
The median resident is 36.6 years old, and 29% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 61% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 17 minutes; 5% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.6278th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 29%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 61%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,74247.5 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%2% walk, 0.3% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.6%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 23.3%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1981median year
Who moves to Lake Charles, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish) and New Orleans (Orleans Parish). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish) and The Woodlands (Montgomery County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Calcasieu County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, lightning, tornado, inland flooding.
Home prices
+7.7% in a year
Up 18% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Lake Charles, LA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
62% good days
3 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Lake Charles, LA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Lake Charles
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- McNeese State University 9 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Lake Charles
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles Regional Airport LCH | 11 mi | 90,791 |
| Lafayette Regional Airport LFT | 80 mi | 264,471 |
| Alexandria International Airport AEX | 87 mi | 204,603 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Lake Charles
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McNeese State University | 9 mi | 5,005 | $11,228 | 47% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Lake Charles
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 14, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 23 and the first frost comes around December 7.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Lake Charles, LA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Lake Charles.
Wildfire smoke in Lake Charles
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Lake Charles on about 172 days a year, including about 22 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Lake Charles
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 32,077 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Lake Charles
Downtown Lake Charles is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcasieu Parish School District | Pre-K to 12 | 27,851 | 56 | 12.1 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Beauregard Parish School District (5,567 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Lake Charles's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Lake Charles's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Gulfport, MS81% matchCompare
- Mobile, AL81% matchCompare
- Columbus, GA73% matchCompare
- Tallahassee, FL68% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Pros and cons of living in Lake Charles
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.6 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 14% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 63°F.
- Data Commutes are short: 17 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 10.13% on average with local taxes.
- Data Poverty is high: 23.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
Lake Charles report card from locals
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Cities near Lake Charles
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumont, TX | 49 mi | 112,967 | $166,400 | 90.0 | Compare |
| Lafayette, LA | 78 mi | 123,311 | $257,000 | 87.2 | Compare |
| Baytown, TX | 104 mi | 86,561 | $197,300 | 98.6 | Compare |
| League City, TX | 116 mi | 119,905 | $360,000 | 98.6 | Compare |
| Pasadena, TX | 117 mi | 148,539 | $209,600 | 98.6 | Compare |
| Conroe, TX | 123 mi | 119,564 | $309,600 | 98.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Lake Charles with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Lake Charles a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes; the trade-offs are a shrinking population. Compare Lake Charles side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Lake Charles?
The Census Bureau estimates Lake Charles had 82,676 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 84,932 in April 2020 (-2.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Lake Charles?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $64,400 in the Lake Charles area. The median household here earns $59,235.
When is the best time to visit Lake Charles?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to April and November are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 63°F for daytime highs.
What county is Lake Charles in?
Lake Charles is in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Lake Charles in?
Lake Charles is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Lake Charles?
Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Louisiana have a state income tax?
Yes. Louisiana has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Lake Charles. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Lake Charles, LA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Lake Charles, LA station; snowfall from Orange 9 N, TX. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.