Best Places to Live in Lake Charles Metro Area, Louisiana

Lake Charles, Louisiana is situated in Calcasieu Parish and home to around 78,000 people. This city has a vibrant economy with prominent employers such as L'Auberge Casino Resort, Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home and McNeese State University offering job opportunities. Visitors can explore attractions like the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu or take a leisurely stroll through North Beach Lake Charles Boardwalk. With its diverse range of activities and amenities, Lake Charles is an ideal place for families or travelers looking for an exciting destination. Small industrial city - Southwest Louisiana, 30 miles west of Texas border.

State: Louisiana
County:
Metro Area: Lake Charles Metro Area
City: Lake Charles, Sulphur, 14 total

Zip Codes: 70605, 70601, 70607, 70663, 70611, 70615, 70665, 70669, 70647, 70633, 18 total
Cost of Living: -14.9% lower
Time zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Elevation: 9 ft above sea level

Pros
Cost of living
Recent job growth
Entertainment

Cons
Hurricane dislocation
Low educational attainment
Hot, humid summers

What Bert Has To Say About Lake Charles Metro Area

Lake Charles is a deepwater port and center for the lumber and petrochemical industries, and suffered considerable damage in the 2005 Hurricane Rita. Prior to the storm, the city had a mostly industrial small-town feel with some historic areas, including the Victorian-era Charpentier District and a nice boardwalk area. Some casinos had arrived on the waterfront, including the large L’Auberge du Lac resort and casino.

Highlights

ECONOMY

The unemployment rate in Lake Charles Metro Area is 6.8% (U.S. avg. is 6.0%). Recent job growth is Positive. Lake Charles Metro Area jobs have increased by 3.3%. More Economy

COST OF LIVING

Compared to the rest of the country, Lake Charles Metro Area's cost of living is 14.9% lower than the U.S. average. More Cost of Living or Compare Lake Charles Metro Area's Cost of Living

WEATHER & CLIMATE

April, October and March are the most pleasant months in the Lake Charles metro area, while July and August are the least comfortable months. Today's Weather | Climate Averages

VOTING

In the last Presidential election, the Lake Charles metro area remained overwhelmingly Republican, 67.4% to 30.7%. More Voting Stats

POPULATION

Lake Charles Metro Area's population is 218,296 people. Since 2020, it has had a population growth of 4.7%. Learn More...

TRANSPORTATION

Average Commute time is 20.9 minutes. The National Average is 26.4 minutes. Learn More...

REAL ESTATE

The median home cost in Lake Charles Metro Area is . Home appreciation the last 10 years has been 1.0%.

SCHOOLS

Lake Charles Metro Area public schools spend $11,470 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. There are about 12.8 students per teacher in Lake Charles Metro Area. More Education

Best Places to Live in Lake Charles Rankings

#16	America's Most (and Least) Stressful Cities (117 Smallest Metro Areas)
#109	America's Best and Worst Cities for Crime (Smallest Metro Areas)
#248	2005 Best Places to Live
#379	Best Green Cities

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Housing Market in Lake Charles

It's a good time to buy in Lake Charles. Home Appreciation is up 1.0% in the last 12 months.
The median home price in Lake Charles is .

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COMPARE COST OF LIVING

Compare Lake Charles Metro Area, Louisiana to any other place in the USA.

MAPS OF LAKE CHARLES METRO AREA, LOUISIANA

ZIP CODES IN LAKE CHARLES METRO AREA, LOUISIANA

70605, 70601, 70607, 70663, 70611, 70615, 70665, 70669, 70647, 70633, 18 total

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United States / Louisiana / Lake Charles Metro Area / Counties / Cities / Zip Codes