Monroe, LA vs Lake Charles, LA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Lake Charles, LA is 2.7% more expensive than Monroe, LA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Monroe works out to about $77,000 in Lake Charles, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 20.9% more in Lake Charles. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,358 a month in Lake Charles and $1,180 in Monroe, $2,136 a year more in Lake Charles (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $202,000 in Lake Charles and $167,000 in Monroe.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Lake Charles was 4.8% more expensive than Monroe.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 20.9% higher in Lake Charles than in Monroe
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Monroe, LA
- Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Monroe, LA | Lake Charles, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 83.6 | 85.9 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 42.8 | 51.8 |
| Utilities | 72.2 | 71.7 |
| Other services | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| Category | Monroe | Lake Charles | Lake Charles vs Monroe |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 83.6 | 85.9 | +2.7% |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.7 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 42.8 | 51.8 | +20.9% |
| Utilities | 72.2 | 71.7 | −0.7% |
| Other services | 95.7 | 95.7 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,180 | $1,358 | +15.1% |
| Typical home value | $167,000 | $202,000 | +20.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Monroe | $75,000 | $77,000 | +2.7% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Monroe and Lake Charles has narrowed since 2008: 4.2 points then, 2.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Monroe, LA
- Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Monroe, LA | Lake Charles, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.3 | 90.5 |
| 2009 | 84.2 | 87.4 |
| 2010 | 88.6 | 89.5 |
| 2011 | 87.6 | 90.5 |
| 2012 | 86.4 | 90.6 |
| 2013 | 86.8 | 91.2 |
| 2014 | 87.9 | 90.6 |
| 2015 | 85.1 | 91.3 |
| 2016 | 86.1 | 91.2 |
| 2017 | 86.8 | 91.8 |
| 2018 | 86.2 | 89.4 |
| 2019 | 85.8 | 89.9 |
| 2020 | 83.4 | 91.2 |
| 2021 | 86.5 | 90.6 |
| 2022 | 86.6 | 89.5 |
| 2023 | 83.6 | 87.1 |
| 2024 | 83.6 | 85.9 |
Goods
- Monroe, LA
- Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Monroe, LA | Lake Charles, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.4 | 96.7 |
| 2009 | 93.9 | 94.3 |
| 2010 | 96.7 | 96.8 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 96.4 |
| 2012 | 95.4 | 96.0 |
| 2013 | 96.1 | 96.5 |
| 2014 | 96.2 | 96.9 |
| 2015 | 95.2 | 95.8 |
| 2016 | 95.9 | 96.4 |
| 2017 | 95.7 | 96.2 |
| 2018 | 93.6 | 93.6 |
| 2019 | 95.1 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 94.6 | 94.6 |
| 2021 | 95.2 | 95.2 |
| 2022 | 94.0 | 94.0 |
| 2023 | 93.0 | 93.0 |
| 2024 | 93.7 | 93.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Monroe, LA
- Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Monroe, LA | Lake Charles, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 45.0 | 61.0 |
| 2009 | 47.8 | 56.4 |
| 2010 | 55.5 | 58.2 |
| 2011 | 51.6 | 60.2 |
| 2012 | 47.9 | 61.6 |
| 2013 | 49.0 | 61.3 |
| 2014 | 50.5 | 59.5 |
| 2015 | 46.5 | 63.1 |
| 2016 | 49.2 | 59.9 |
| 2017 | 50.2 | 65.6 |
| 2018 | 51.2 | 61.7 |
| 2019 | 47.1 | 64.9 |
| 2020 | 41.1 | 68.6 |
| 2021 | 47.7 | 63.1 |
| 2022 | 49.8 | 61.4 |
| 2023 | 43.9 | 57.1 |
| 2024 | 42.8 | 51.8 |
Utilities
- Monroe, LA
- Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Monroe, LA | Lake Charles, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 87.6 | 89.1 |
| 2009 | 73.2 | 73.1 |
| 2010 | 80.0 | 79.9 |
| 2011 | 78.9 | 78.3 |
| 2012 | 75.5 | 74.2 |
| 2013 | 80.3 | 79.6 |
| 2014 | 81.0 | 80.0 |
| 2015 | 79.6 | 78.1 |
| 2016 | 79.6 | 77.7 |
| 2017 | 78.4 | 77.2 |
| 2018 | 77.2 | 76.0 |
| 2019 | 78.3 | 76.8 |
| 2020 | 77.3 | 76.3 |
| 2021 | 81.0 | 80.5 |
| 2022 | 84.7 | 84.3 |
| 2023 | 77.0 | 75.6 |
| 2024 | 72.2 | 71.7 |
Other services
- Monroe, LA
- Lake Charles, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Monroe, LA | Lake Charles, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.6 | 97.9 |
| 2009 | 96.6 | 97.3 |
| 2010 | 98.2 | 98.8 |
| 2011 | 99.5 | 100.2 |
| 2012 | 100.4 | 100.8 |
| 2013 | 100.1 | 100.3 |
| 2014 | 100.0 | 100.3 |
| 2015 | 100.3 | 100.7 |
| 2016 | 100.9 | 101.6 |
| 2017 | 99.1 | 99.7 |
| 2018 | 98.2 | 98.2 |
| 2019 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 99.5 | 99.5 |
| 2021 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2022 | 97.3 | 97.3 |
| 2023 | 95.6 | 95.6 |
| 2024 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,358 in Lake Charles vs $1,180 in Monroe
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Monroe, LA
- Lake Charles, LA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Monroe, LA | Lake Charles, LA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | – | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | – | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | – | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | – | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | – | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $970 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $985 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $1,014 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $1,012 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $1,010 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $1,034 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $1,058 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $1,044 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,055 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,047 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $1,053 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $1,038 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $1,038 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $1,020 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $980 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $974 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $991 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,001 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $1,113 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | – | $1,213 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | – | $1,248 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | – | $1,219 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | – | $1,178 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | – | $1,140 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $865 | $1,103 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $890 | $1,071 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $897 | $1,063 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $903 | $1,032 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $922 | $1,073 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $920 | $1,083 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $909 | $1,082 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $934 | $1,056 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $965 | $1,111 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $967 | $1,110 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $972 | $1,100 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $977 | $1,112 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,016 | $1,115 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,092 | $1,142 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,075 | $1,186 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,102 | $1,210 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,169 | $1,309 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,180 | $1,358 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $202,000 in Lake Charles vs $167,000 in Monroe
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Monroe, LA
- Lake Charles, LA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Monroe, LA | Lake Charles, LA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $129K | – | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $131K | – | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $131K | – | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $132K | – | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $135K | $203K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $137K | $203K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $137K | $203K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $137K | $206K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $136K | $206K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $135K | $206K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $136K | $210K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $136K | $212K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $136K | $212K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $138K | $214K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $137K | $215K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $137K | $217K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $138K | $217K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $139K | $217K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $139K | $218K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $139K | $219K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $141K | $219K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $140K | $220K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $142K | $224K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $146K | $225K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $146K | $220K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $149K | $218K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $149K | $216K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $151K | $214K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $159K | $215K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $164K | $220K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $165K | $221K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $165K | $216K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $161K | $210K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $164K | $208K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $162K | $204K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $162K | $199K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $162K | $197K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $166K | $198K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $167K | $193K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $167K | $190K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $167K | $192K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $163K | $196K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $162K | $197K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $162K | $197K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $164K | $200K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $165K | $201K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $167K | $202K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.