Lake Charles, LA—70615
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 $139,000, with a year-over-year change of 3.1%. This indicates that home prices in Lake Charles, LA are increasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is -6.4%, suggesting a decrease housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $139,000 | 3.1% |
| Single Family | $140,000 | 5.3% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | N/A | N/A |
3 Bed | N/A | N/A |
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 $1,170, with a year-over-year rent change of -0.8%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Lake Charles, LA is studios: $886, 1-bedrooms: $775, 2-bedrooms: $848, 3-bedrooms: $1,080, 4-bedrooms: $2,760. The most common rental property sizes in Lake Charles, LA are 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom, accounting for 62.4% and 29.7% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,170 |
| Studio Rent | $855 | $886 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $775 | $775 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $800 | $848 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $900 | $1,080 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $2,250 | $2,760 |
% 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 93. This is a decrease of -21.0% 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 10.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $176,000 | 6.0% |
Listing Count | 39 | 35.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.7% | 35.0% |
Days on Market | 93 | -21.0% |
Demographics — Lake Charles, LA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Lake Charles, LA has a population of 13,500, which has decreased by -5.0% over the past 5 years. Lake Charles, LA is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 21.9% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 14.8% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 5.0% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 13,500 | -5.0% |
% Under 18 | 21.9% | -15.1% |
% Seniors | 14.6% | 23.7% |
% WFH | 5.0% | 8.7% |
% w/ College Degree | 14.8% | 27.6% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Lake Charles, LA is a predominantly black area, with 55.8% of the population identifying as black. The black population has grown by 2.2% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Lake Charles, LA is white, making up 33.4% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 1.4% of the population in Lake Charles, LA, and this percentage has decreased by 12.5% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting fewer immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 33.4% | -10.5% |
% Black | 55.8% | 2.2% |
% Hispanic | 5.8% | 107.1% |
% Asian | 0.3% | 200.0% |
% Foreign Born | 1.4% | -12.5% |
Mortgage and Risk — Lake Charles, LA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 79 mortgage originations in Lake Charles, LA, of which 70.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 71.0%, with 35.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Lake Charles, LA. Investor activity is low, as 8.0% of loans were by investors. 15.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 79 |
% Conventional Loans | 70.0% |
% Government Loans | 30.0% |
% Investor Loans | 8.0% |
% Second Loans | 1.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 15.0% |
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 22.2%. 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. 1-bedroom and 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 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 456 |
Total Units Section 8 | 386 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 22.2% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 52.0% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $75 | $775 | $850 |
| 2 Bedroom | $310 | $800 | $1,110 |
| 3 Bedroom | $440 | $900 | $1,340 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$780 | $2,250 | $1,470 |
Affordability — Lake Charles, LA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 3.8 |
| Median Home Price | $139,000 |
| Median Household Income | $43,300 |