CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Lake Charles, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Lake Charles
85.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Lake Charles is moderately cheaper than Detroit — 14.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $68,500 in Lake Charles. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−45.3%
Detroit
94.7
Lake Charles
51.8
🛒 Groceries−5.2%
Detroit
98.8
Lake Charles
93.7
🚗 Transportation−6.7%
Detroit
107.7
Lake Charles
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−6.8%
Detroit
97.5
Lake Charles
90.9
⚡ Utilities−33.0%
Detroit
107
Lake Charles
71.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Lake Charles, LA
$68,500
$11,500 less needed in Lake Charles

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.8564. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Lake Charles, LA

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

Detroit has 45.3% lower housing costs compared to Lake Charles.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

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).

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

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

79% of income left after rent (median)

Detroit vs other cities

Detroit, MI
vs
Ann Arbor, MI
Index: 100.3Index: 100.9
Detroit, MI
vs
Flint, MI
Index: 100.3Index: 93
Detroit, MI
vs
Grand Rapids, MI
Index: 100.3Index: 95.5
Detroit, MI
vs
El Paso, TX
Index: 100.3Index: 89.9
Detroit, MI
vs
Oklahoma City, OK
Index: 100.3Index: 90.4

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.