Cost of Living in Lake Charles, LA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,124 (excluding rent), and $2,667 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,948 (excluding rent), and $5,279 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$26.28 $26.28

$15.16 $15.16

$50.5 $50.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$78.5 $78.5

$209 $209

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.87 $9.87

$14.80 $14.80

Cappuccino

$4.30 $4.30

$1.80 $1.80

$6.82 $6.82

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 $1.66

$4.03 $4.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.16 $2.16

$1.54 $1.54

$3.60 $3.60

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.87 $5.87

$4.90 $4.90

$7.83 $7.83

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.03 $8.03

$7.03 $7.03

$9.04 $9.04

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.05 $1.05

$2.02 $2.02

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$3.25 $3.25

$5.41 $5.41

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.11 $6.11

$3.30 $3.30

$8.79 $8.79

Eggs

$4.38 $4.38

$1.98 $1.98

$6.92 $6.92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$8.33 $8.33

$18.63 $18.63

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.34 $11.34

$5.98 $5.98

$17.92 $17.92

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$10.90 $10.90

$20.39 $20.39

Apples (1kg)

$4.52 $4.52

$2.70 $2.70

$6.80 $6.80

Banana (1kg)

$1.28 $1.28

$1.08 $1.08

$4.35 $4.35

Oranges (1kg)

$1.94 $1.94

$8.71 $8.71

Tomato (1kg)

$5.06 $5.06

$2.69 $2.69

$8.59 $8.59

Potato (1kg)

$3.97 $3.97

$1.67 $1.67

$6.68 $6.68

Onion (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$1.61 $1.61

$7.65 $7.65

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.17 $2.17

$1.47 $1.47

$2.70 $2.70

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.00 $3.00

$1.51 $1.51

$4.52 $4.52

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.68 $8.68

$8.17 $8.17

$10.21 $10.21

Wine (Bottle)

$15.83 $15.83

$6.66 $6.66

$29.59 $29.59

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.41 $1.41

$3.53 $3.53

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.50 $3.50

$1.97 $1.97

$4.94 $4.94

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.27 $1.27

$2.04 $2.04

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.46 $3.46

$4.95 $4.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.53 $1.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.43 $34.43

$20.66 $20.66

$34.43 $34.43

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$0.71 $0.71

$1.08 $1.08

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.7K $34.7K

$29.8K $29.8K

$36.6K $36.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.8K $28.8K

$27.4K $27.4K

$30.4K $30.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$238 $238

$142 $142

$381 $381

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$58.1 $58.1

$42.88 $42.88

$89.7 $89.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.9 $60.9

$50.7 $50.7

$94.4 $94.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.21 $43.21

$17.59 $17.59

$50.3 $50.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.05 $14.05

Cinema Ticket

$11.65 $11.65

$9.12 $9.12

$20.27 $20.27

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,515 $1,515

$1,592 $1,592

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.4K $10.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.91 $46.91

$24.69 $24.69

$69.1 $69.1

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.54 $40.54

$24.82 $24.82

$59.6 $59.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.6 $74.6

$59.0 $59.0

$98.4 $98.4

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$100 $100

$80.1 $80.1

$150 $150

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,574 $1,574

$1,179 $1,179

$1,825 $1,825

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,336 $1,336

$987 $987

$1,481 $1,481

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,633 $2,633

$2,002 $2,002

$3,003 $3,003

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,252 $2,252

$1,722 $1,722

$2,533 $2,533

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,365 $1,365

$1,354 $1,354

$1,376 $1,376

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,378 $1,378

$1,367 $1,367

$1,389 $1,389

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,603 $3,603

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.57

6.19

7.03

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Lake Charles, LA Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

188

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

382

Mbps

126

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Lake Charles, LA - Frequently Asked Questions

Lake Charles offers a relatively moderate footprint for those watching expenses, especially when compared with larger coastal cities. Cost of Living in Lake Charles, LA, United States tends to be more approachable for housing, groceries, and daily basics, with a slower pace that supports longer stays on a budget. You'll find affordable rental options outside high-demand areas, accessible public services, and a range of second-hand and local markets. The trade-off is fewer high-end dining and international services, which can be offset by community events and outdoor lifestyle. Tip: Build a simple budget around housing, utilities, and weekly groceries to gauge value quickly.

Daily life centers on practical rhythms with southern hospitality. Housing searches tend to favor established neighborhoods and lakeside areas, where you can find stable rents and homey spaces; longer leases can offer better value. Food options include casual Cajun spots, farmers markets, and familiar grocery chains with seasonal produce. Transportation works well with a car, and core zones offer bus routes and bike-friendly streets. For work or study, look for coworking spaces or cafes with reliable Wi-Fi. Lake Charles, LA, United States living cost varies by district, so pick a setting that shortens errands and keeps essentials nearby. Tip: Plan errands by area to cut car time.

Quality of life in Lake Charles blends outdoor recreation, community events, and a slower pace. A practical budgeting approach is to separate essentials (housing, utilities, groceries) from discretionary spending (dining out, entertainment) and to track seasonal changes that affect energy use. If you prefer a lively scene, look for neighborhoods near the lakefront or downtown with walkable cafes and parks; if you want quiet, consider quieter residential blocks a bit farther from the center. Seasonal festivals, heat and humidity in summer, and milder shoulder seasons influence activities and costs. Tip: Test a neighborhood for a week to feel how routines fit your days.