Moving to Lake Charles
What you need to know before relocating to Lake Charles, Louisiana. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Lake Charles a Good Place to Live?
Lake Charles presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: violent crime rate (548/100k) exceeds the national average; longer-than-average commute (101141 min).
Lake Charles at a Glance
Cost of Living in Lake Charles
The median rent in Lake Charles is $1,057/month, while the median home value is $215,900. With a median household income of $65,122, residents spend roughly 19% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Lake Charles metro area is classified as affordable compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Lake Charles has a median household income of $65,122, which is 13% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Lake Charles
The violent crime rate in Lake Charles is 548 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 2630 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Louisiana
Louisiana has a high school graduation rate of 87% and per-pupil spending of $13,760/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.
29% of Louisiana adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Louisiana has 276 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 11.4% uninsured rate, and 3.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Louisiana is 74.9 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Lake Charles
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($1,057/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Home prices ($215,900) are well below the US median
-Cons
- ✗Violent crime rate (548/100k) exceeds the national average
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (101141 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles a good place to live?⌄
Lake Charles has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh violent crime rate (548/100k) exceeds the national average and longer-than-average commute (101141 min) against other lifestyle factors.
What is the cost of living in Lake Charles?⌄
The median rent in Lake Charles is $1,057/month and the median home value is $215,900. The median household income is $65,122. Overall the metro is considered affordable.
Is Lake Charles safe?⌄
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 548 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Lake Charles?⌄
Lake Charles has an unemployment rate of 3.8%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $65,122.