Is Denver, CO cheaper than Lake Charles, LA?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 21.3% more expensive than Lake Charles, LA. This translates to spending an extra $1597 per month.

What salary do I need in Denver, CO to live like I do in Lake Charles, LA?

If you earn $150,000 in Lake Charles, LA, you'd need approximately $169,158.722 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lake Charles, LA and Denver, CO?

Housing in Denver, CO is 69.9% more expensive than in Lake Charles, LA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $1,017/month in Lake Charles, LA.

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

Living in Denver, CO costs approximately $1597 more per month than Lake Charles, LA, or $19159 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lake Charles, LA vs Denver, CO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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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 $1.6K/month more in Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $169.2K in Denver, CO

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

Overall Cost

↑ 21.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,597

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$19.2K

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

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:121

Median Home:$513K

Lake Charles, LA

The Pelican State

80K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Denver, CO

The Centennial State

716K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid

Notable Facts

•Mile-high city (5,280 ft)
•Outdoor recreation hub
•Major cannabis market

Major Industries

AerospaceTechnologyEnergyTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Lake Charles, LA vs Denver, CO

Category	Lake Charles, LA	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,911/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $1,337more	69.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,239/mo	$1,462/mo	↑ $223more	18.0%
🏥Healthcare	$470/mo	$632/mo	↑ $162more	34.4%
🛒Groceries	$968/mo	$1,029/mo	↑ $61.59more	6.4%
⚡All Utilities	$485/mo	$519/mo	↑ $33.60more	6.9%
📦Other	$1,752/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $22.66more	1.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 69.9%

Lake Charles, LA

$1,911

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$1,337

🚗Transportation

↑ 18.0%

Lake Charles, LA

$1,239

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$223

🏥Healthcare

↑ 34.4%

Lake Charles, LA

$470

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$162

🛒Groceries

↑ 6.4%

Lake Charles, LA

$968

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$61.59

⚡All Utilities

↑ 6.9%

Lake Charles, LA

$485

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$33.60

📦Other

↑ 1.3%

Lake Charles, LA

$1,752

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$22.66

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Denver, CO: Denver Head Tax ($5.75/mo, negligible)$69.00/yr (0.0%)

Lake Charles, LA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$771

To$1,720

↑ $949

1 Bed

From$771

To$1,840

↑ $1,069

2 Bed

From$1,017

To$2,190

↑ $1,173

3 Bed

From$1,220

To$2,870

↑ $1,650

Lake Charles, LAZIP-level data

1BR range: $820–$1,160/mo

Denver, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,540/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

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$1,839

Difference

Home Values

Lake Charles

Denver

$190K

Median Value

$513K

↑ +3.6%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↓ -18.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$96K - $260K

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 169% more expensive than Lake Charles

Calculate payment - Lake Charles Calculate payment - Denver

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $1.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$95.83

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.8%

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

Denver, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Additional Tax Information

Lake Charles, LA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.6%

Property Tax:0.5%

Denver, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

💡 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.