Is Austin, TX cheaper than Lake Charles, LA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 13.6% more expensive than Lake Charles, LA. This translates to spending an extra $1018 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Lake Charles, LA?

If you earn $150,000 in Lake Charles, LA, you'd need approximately $162,212.258 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lake Charles, LA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 50.9% more expensive than in Lake Charles, LA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,017/month in Lake Charles, LA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Lake Charles, LA to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1018 more per month than Lake Charles, LA, or $12212 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lake Charles, LA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lake Charles, LA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Baton Rouge, LA area

Current salary in Lake Charles, LA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.0K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.2K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 13.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,018

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$12.2K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Lake Charles, LA

Population:80K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$190K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:114

Median Home:$558K

Lake Charles, LA

The Pelican State

80K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Louisiana, this city has a population of 80K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Lake Charles, LA vs Austin, TX

Category	Lake Charles, LA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,911/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $973more	50.9%
🏥Healthcare	$470/mo	$589/mo	↑ $119more	25.2%
⚡All Utilities	$485/mo	$541/mo	↑ $55.46more	11.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,239/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $45.16more	3.6%
📦Other	$1,752/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $10.82less	0.6%
🛒Groceries	$968/mo	$959/mo	↓ $8.36less	0.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 50.9%

Lake Charles, LA

$1,911

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$973

🏥Healthcare

↑ 25.2%

Lake Charles, LA

$470

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$119

⚡All Utilities

↑ 11.4%

Lake Charles, LA

$485

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$55.46

🚗Transportation

↑ 3.6%

Lake Charles, LA

$1,239

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$45.16

📦Other

↓ 0.6%

Lake Charles, LA

$1,752

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$10.82

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.9%

Lake Charles, LA

$968

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$8.36

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$771

To$1,585

↑ $814

1 Bed

From$771

To$1,685

↑ $914

2 Bed

From$1,017

To$1,995

↑ $978

3 Bed

From$1,220

To$2,525

↑ $1,305

Lake Charles, LAZIP-level data

1BR range: $820–$1,160/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,825

Monthly in Lake Charles, LA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,173

Difference

Home Values

Lake Charles

Austin

$190K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +3.6%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↓ -18.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$96K - $260K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 193% more expensive than Lake Charles

Calculate payment - Lake Charles Calculate payment - Austin

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$646

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.2%

Rate difference

Lake Charles, LA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Louisiana State Tax

Effective: 5.2%

$7.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.8%

$44.8K

Take-Home Pay

$8,770/month

$105.2K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Lake Charles, LA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.6%

Property Tax:0.5%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.