Median rent is 34% lower in Lake Charles ($1,090/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Lake Charles, where the median home runs $204,000 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $56,864 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Lake Charles, LA
How much would you need to earn in Lake Charles, LA to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Lake Charles
Louisiana
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Lake Charles — median rent of $1,090/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $204,000 in Lake Charles — 60% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Louisiana tops out at 4.25% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 4.45% in Louisiana; Lake Charles has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Lake Charles
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 4.45%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Lake Charles.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Lake Charles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,090/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than Lake Charles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Lake Charles?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,090/mo in Lake Charles, LA. Lake Charles, LA has the lower rent by about 34%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Lake Charles?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $56,864 in Lake Charles, LA. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Lake Charles?
Texas has no state income tax. Louisiana has a top rate of 4.25%.
What salary do I need in Lake Charles to match my Austin income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology