2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Marcos, TX vs Lake Charles, LA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Lake Charles or is it cheaper to live in San Marcos?
- Lake Charles is 25.6% less expensive than San Marcos.

Which city has more affordable housing, Lake Charles or San Marcos?
- Lake Charles housing costs are 38.0% less expensive than San Marcos housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Marcos or is Health Care more affordable in Lake Charles.
- Health related expenses are 6.3% less in Lake Charles.
 San Marcos, TXLake Charles, LAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock84.1100
 Food & Groceries92.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock101.9100
 Housing100.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$179,400$338,100
 Utilities102  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock89.1100
 Miscellaneous101.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Marcos    6 Reviews

An area with so much potential and existing natural beauty.Sadly bad urban planning is clearly obvious.Looks like fun for tens of thousands of students.However for the  More

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Over 16 years ago

San Marcos has the most beautiful people and places that I have ever seen throughout my travels. I love this city so much that I decided to settle down here and start a  More

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Over 17 years ago

I spent several summers and a couple winters in San Marcos during my formidable years and really have to tell those interested about what a nice town it is. The best  More

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Start Your Review of San Marcos

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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