CostByCity

Des Moines, IA vs Lake Charles, LA

Cost of Living Comparison

Lake Charles, LA is more affordable by 5.8 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryDes Moines, IALake Charles, LADifference
Overall91.785.9+5.8
Housing84.751.8+33.0
Goods93.793.7+0.0
Utilities84.671.7+12.8
Other Services92.995.7-2.8

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricDes Moines, IALake Charles, LA
Median Household Income$81,103$64,764
Median Home Value$235,800$195,600
Median Monthly Rent$1,063$1,025
Per Capita Income$42,742$33,496

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Des Moines, IA or Lake Charles, LA cheaper to live in?
Lake Charles, LA is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 5.8 index points (Des Moines, IA: 91.7, Lake Charles, LA: 85.9).
Where is housing cheaper, Des Moines, IA or Lake Charles, LA?
Housing is more affordable in Lake Charles, LA. Housing index: Des Moines, IA (84.7) vs Lake Charles, LA (51.8).