2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbus, IN vs Lake Charles, LA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Charles or is it cheaper to live in Columbus?
- Lake Charles is 1.2% more expensive than Columbus.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Charles or Columbus?
- Lake Charles housing costs are 11.5% less expensive than Columbus housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbus or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Charles.
- Health related expenses are 8.5% more in Lake Charles.
 Columbus, INLake Charles, LAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock84.1100
 Food & Groceries94.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock101.9100
 Housing70.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$179,400$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock89.1100
 Miscellaneous102.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Columbus    16 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I grew up in Columbus Indiana and returned 38 years later after retiring. Columbus has always been a unique place to live and well above average for Indiana. However,  More

   |    Reply

Columbus is a beautiful town for young families or up and coming professionals. It has great restaurants, parks, architecture, and diverse recreation.   More

   |    Reply

Columbus is a friendly town that is welcoming to people from all backgrounds. It provides lots of amenities for young families with very close proximity to big cities  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Columbus

Reviews for Lake Charles    34 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

I’ve lived in the city for years and it’s great, you should really check it  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

Lake Charles, Louisiana is one of the absolute creepiest cities in the USA. The people feel dead inside. They also seem to secretly hate each other. It is also an  More

   |    Reply

Beware reader, the city of Lake Charles is an absolute sh*thole. If you are traveling through I-10 you might want to skip this place. This place is the very worst of the  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lake Charles


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.