2026 Affordability Data
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Lake Charles - 2026 Data
The median home value in Lake Charles is $191,200, 32% below nat'l avg. Median rent is $664/month. With an affordability index of 207, Lake Charles is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. We ranked 15 neighborhoods by affordability to help you find the best value in the Lake Charles, LA area.
Key Takeaways: Affordability in Lake Charles
- 1The most affordable neighborhood in Lake Charles is Central, with a median home value of $265,600.
- 2Lake Charles's median home value is $191,200, 32% below nat'l avg (national: $281,900).
- 3Lake Charles's affordability index is 207 (baseline 100), making it more affordable than the national average.
- 4Median rent in Lake Charles is $664/month, 43% below nat'l avg (national: $1,163/month).
- 5We analyzed 15 neighborhoods in Lake Charles to find the most affordable areas based on home values, rent, and affordability index.
Lake Charles Affordability Overview
Median Home Value
$191,200
32% below nat'l avg
Median Rent
$664/mo
43% below nat'l avg
Median Income
$54,761
27% below nat'l avg
Affordability Index
207
107% above nat'l avg
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Lake Charles (Ranked)
| Rank | Neighborhood | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CentralLA | $265,600 |
| 2 | New IberiaLA | $150,600 |
| 3 | MindenLA | $119,500 |
| 4 | CovingtonLA | $283,600 |
| 5 | BogalusaLA | $106,500 |
| 6 | BastropLA | $85,600 |
| 7 | KennerLA | $229,000 |
| 8 | LafayetteLA | $234,900 |
| 9 | BakerLA | $138,800 |
| 10 | ShreveportLA | $168,900 |
| 11 | AbbevilleLA | $98,700 |
| 12 | Morgan CityLA | $147,700 |
| 13 | Bossier CityLA | $187,000 |
| 14 | JenningsLA | $129,500 |
| 15 | RustonLA | $208,000 |
Detailed Neighborhood Profiles
Home Value: $265,600
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 29,518
Home Value: $150,600
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 28,363
Home Value: $119,500
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 11,789
4
Home Value: $283,600
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 11,444
5
Home Value: $106,500
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 10,689
6
Home Value: $85,600
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 9,623
7
Home Value: $229,000
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 65,785
8
Home Value: $234,900
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 121,706
9
Home Value: $138,800
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 12,463
10
Home Value: $168,900
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 186,183
11
Home Value: $98,700
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 11,213
12
Home Value: $147,700
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 11,373
13
Home Value: $187,000
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 62,971
14
Home Value: $129,500
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 9,819
15
Home Value: $208,000
Rent: $664/mo
Affordability: 207
Population: 22,282
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordability in Lake Charles
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Lake Charles, LA?▾
Based on 2026 data, Central is the most affordable neighborhood in Lake Charles with a median home value of $265,600. Kurby analyzed 15 neighborhoods in the Lake Charles area to compile these rankings.
What is the median home price in Lake Charles, LA?▾
The median home price in Lake Charles is $191,200, which is 32% below nat'l avg. The national median home value is $281,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).
Is Lake Charles affordable compared to the national average?▾
Lake Charles has an affordability index of 207, which means housing is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. An index above 100 indicates that a median-income household can afford a median-priced home in the area.
What is the average rent in Lake Charles, LA?▾
The median monthly rent in Lake Charles is $664. This is 43% below nat'l avg. The national median rent is $1,163/month (Source: Kurby, 2026).
What is the median household income in Lake Charles?▾
The median household income in Lake Charles is $54,761 compared to the national median of $74,580. This metric is important for understanding housing affordability in relation to local earning power (Source: Kurby, 2026).
How many neighborhoods in Lake Charles are below the national average home price?▾
14 out of 15 ranked neighborhoods in Lake Charles have a median home value below the national average of $281,900. The most affordable is Central at $265,600 (Source: Kurby, 2026).