Lake Charles, LA—70601
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Lake Charles, LA
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Lake Charles, LA is $101,000, with a year-over-year change of -7.9%. This indicates that home prices in Lake Charles, LA are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is -9.3%, suggesting a decrease housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $101,000 | -7.9% |
| Single Family | $101,000 | -6.5% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $85,000 | -5.6% |
3 Bed | $141,000 | 0.7% |
4 Bed | N/A | N/A |
| 5 Bed | N/A | N/A |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Lake Charles, LA
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Lake Charles, LA is $1,090, with a year-over-year rent change of -4.4%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Lake Charles, LA is studios: $795, 1-bedrooms: $797, 2-bedrooms: $930, 3-bedrooms: $1,280, 4-bedrooms: $1,680. The most common rental property sizes in Lake Charles, LA are 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom, accounting for 40.8% and 29.3% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,090 |
| Studio Rent | $795 | $795 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $795 | $797 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $850 | $930 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,200 | $1,280 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $1,500 | $1,680 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Lake Charles, LA
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Lake Charles, LA is 89. This is a decrease of -26.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market shorter than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 20.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $160,000 | 6.0% |
Listing Count | 194 | -1.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 1.0% | -1.0% |
Days on Market | 89 | -26.0% |
Demographics — Lake Charles, LA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Lake Charles, LA has a population of 31,800, which has decreased by -1.1% over the past 5 years. Lake Charles, LA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 20.1% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 24.9% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 4.7% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 31,800 | -1.1% |
% Under 18 | 20.1% | -15.5% |
% Seniors | 17.7% | 11.3% |
% WFH | 4.7% | 291.7% |
% w/ College Degree | 24.9% | 20.9% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Lake Charles, LA is a predominantly black area, with 59.5% of the population identifying as black. The black population has shrunk by 11.5% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Lake Charles, LA is white, making up 30.5% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 2.7% of the population in Lake Charles, LA, and this percentage has increased by 35.0% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 30.5% | 6.3% |
% Black | 59.5% | -11.5% |
% Hispanic | 4.8% | 54.8% |
% Asian | 0.7% | 133.3% |
% Foreign Born | 2.7% | 35.0% |
Mortgage and Risk — Lake Charles, LA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 211 mortgage originations in Lake Charles, LA, of which 64.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 81.0%, with 38.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Lake Charles, LA. Investor activity is high, as 23.0% of loans were by investors. 10.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 211 |
% Conventional Loans | 64.0% |
% Government Loans | 36.0% |
% Investor Loans | 23.0% |
% Second Loans | 0.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 10.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Lake Charles, LA
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Lake Charles, LA under the Section 8 program is 35.9%. This is considered high, suggesting that the neighborhood is heavily composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Lake Charles, LA, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 1-bedroom and 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 1,843 |
Total Units Section 8 | 1,747 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 35.9% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 89.0% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | -$25 | $795 | $770 |
| 2 Bedroom | $150 | $850 | $1,000 |
| 3 Bedroom | $10 | $1,200 | $1,210 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$170 | $1,500 | $1,330 |
Affordability — Lake Charles, LA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 3 |
| Median Home Price | $101,000 |
| Median Household Income | $49,500 |