CostIndexUSA

Bakersfield, CA vs Lake Charles, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Bakersfield
100.9
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Lake Charles
85.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Lake Charles is moderately cheaper than Bakersfield — 14.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Bakersfield, you would need $68,100 in Lake Charles. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing−42.6%
Bakersfield
90.3
Lake Charles
51.8
🛒 Groceries−10.9%
Bakersfield
105.2
Lake Charles
93.7
🚗 Transportation−4.6%
Bakersfield
105.3
Lake Charles
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−4.6%
Bakersfield
95.3
Lake Charles
90.9
⚡ Utilities−54.7%
Bakersfield
158.3
Lake Charles
71.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Bakersfield to see what you'd need to earn in Lake Charles to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
→
Equivalent salary in Lake Charles, LA
$68,100
$11,900 less needed in Lake Charles

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.8513. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Bakersfield, CA

Median Home Price
$358,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
90.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Lake Charles, LA

Median Home Price
$190,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
51.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

Bakersfield has 42.6% lower housing costs compared to Lake Charles.

Income & Job Market

Bakersfield, CA

Median Household Income
$68,900
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
8.4%
Population
384,145
Top Industries
AgricultureEnergyHealthcareLogisticsManufacturing

Lake Charles, LA

Median Household Income
$65,100
Per Capita Income
$37,100
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
77,403
Top Industries
EnergyPetrochemicalsHealthcareGamingManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Bakersfield, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Lake Charles, LA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Bakersfield vs other cities

Bakersfield, CA
vs
Anaheim, CA
Index: 100.9Index: 113.6
Bakersfield, CA
vs
Chico, CA
Index: 100.9Index: 101.2
Bakersfield, CA
vs
Corona, CA
Index: 100.9Index: 106.4
Bakersfield, CA
vs
New Orleans, LA
Index: 100.9Index: 92.6
Bakersfield, CA
vs
Arlington, TX
Index: 100.9Index: 103.1

Lake Charles vs other cities

Lake Charles, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 85.9Index: 90.8
Lake Charles, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 85.9Index: 87.2
Lake Charles, LA
vs
Monroe, LA
Index: 85.9Index: 83.6
Lake Charles, LA
vs
Appleton, WI
Index: 85.9Index: 92.4
Lake Charles, LA
vs
Jonesboro, AR
Index: 85.9Index: 85.9

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.