2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Lake Charles, LA vs Decatur, AL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Decatur or is it cheaper to live in Lake Charles?
- Decatur is 1.2% less expensive than Lake Charles.

Which city has more affordable housing, Decatur or Lake Charles?
- Decatur housing costs are 14.9% less expensive than Lake Charles housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Lake Charles or is Health Care more affordable in Decatur.
- Health related expenses are 13.7% more in Decatur.
 Lake Charles, LADecatur, ALUnited States
 Overall  Unlock83.1100
 Food & Groceries92.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock115.9100
 Housing62.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$187,800$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock79.0100
 Miscellaneous93.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Decatur    12 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I moved to Decatur from Huntsville about 6 months ago. I love it! Traffic is mostly light, even at rush hour. You have enough shopping amenities here you rarely have to  More

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Over 4 years ago

I moved to Decatur three months ago from Huntsville and I am very satisfied with the city. Decatur boasts many amenities: on the river, surrounded on two sides by  More

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Over 6 years ago

I moved to Decatur from Huntsville a little over a year ago. I'm just not a big fan for a few reasons. #1 Brownsferry Nuclear Power Plant is exactly 10.43 miles from my  More

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