Lake Charles, LA—70607
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 $194,000, with a year-over-year change of -1.1%. This indicates that home prices in Lake Charles, LA are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is -6.5%, suggesting a decrease housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $194,000 | -1.1% |
| Single Family | $194,000 | 0.0% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $135,000 | 1.5% |
3 Bed | $204,000 | 1.5% |
4 Bed | $259,000 | 1.2% |
| 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 $1,380, with a year-over-year rent change of 0.7%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Lake Charles, LA is studios: $907, 1-bedrooms: $989, 2-bedrooms: $969, 3-bedrooms: $1,480, 4-bedrooms: $2,270. The most common rental property sizes in Lake Charles, LA are 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom, accounting for 38.0% and 33.7% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,380 |
| Studio Rent | $900 | $907 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $755 | $989 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $875 | $969 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,000 | $1,480 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $2,000 | $2,270 |
% 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 92. This is a decrease of -22.0% 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 26.0%, representing a large inventory and a lot of supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $231,000 | 4.0% |
Listing Count | 164 | 4.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 1.0% | 4.0% |
Days on Market | 92 | -22.0% |
Demographics — Lake Charles, LA
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Lake Charles, LA has a population of 28,300, which has increased by 3.7% over the past 5 years. Lake Charles, LA is a popular place for families, as children make up 25.2% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 17.6% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 3.8% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 28,300 | 3.7% |
% Under 18 | 25.2% | 13.5% |
% Seniors | 14.0% | 18.6% |
% WFH | 3.8% | 26.7% |
% w/ College Degree | 17.6% | -4.3% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Lake Charles, LA is a predominantly white area, with 46.2% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 10.6% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Lake Charles, LA is black, making up 36.3% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 5.1% of the population in Lake Charles, LA, and this percentage has increased by 15.9% 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 | 46.2% | -10.6% |
% Black | 36.3% | -1.4% |
% Hispanic | 6.3% | 21.2% |
% Asian | 2.2% | 4.8% |
% Foreign Born | 5.1% | 15.9% |
Mortgage and Risk — Lake Charles, LA
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 318 mortgage originations in Lake Charles, LA, of which 61.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 84.0%, with 50.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Lake Charles, LA. Investor activity is low, as 6.0% of loans were by investors. 6.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 318 |
% Conventional Loans | 61.0% |
% Government Loans | 39.0% |
% Investor Loans | 6.0% |
% Second Loans | 1.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 6.0% |
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 21.9%. 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. 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 | 813 |
Total Units Section 8 | 800 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 21.9% |
% Occupied Section 8 | N/A |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $65 | $755 | $820 |
| 2 Bedroom | $195 | $875 | $1,070 |
| 3 Bedroom | $290 | $1,000 | $1,290 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$580 | $2,000 | $1,420 |
Affordability — Lake Charles, LA
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 3.7 |
| Median Home Price | $194,000 |
| Median Household Income | $58,400 |