Charleston-North Charleston vs Lake Charles
Fair Market Rent Comparison — HUD 2025 Data
Quick Answer
Lake Charles is 58% cheaper for renters. A 2-bedroom rents for $735/mo vs $1,159/mo in Charleston-North Charleston — saving $5,088/year.
Rent by Unit Size
| Unit Size | Charleston-North Charleston | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $766 | $490 | $276 |
| 1 Bedroom | $923 | $592 | $331 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,159 | $735 | $424 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,459 | $930 | $529 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,529 | $984 | $545 |
| Median Income | $57,454 | $45,479 | $11,975 |
Charleston-North Charleston
- Studio
- $766/mo
- 1 BR
- $923/mo
- 2 BR
- $1,159/mo
- 3 BR
- $1,459/mo
- 4 BR
- $1,529/mo
- Median Income
- $57,454/yr
Lake Charles
- Studio
- $490/mo
- 1 BR
- $592/mo
- 2 BR
- $735/mo
- 3 BR
- $930/mo
- 4 BR
- $984/mo
- Median Income
- $45,479/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charleston-North Charleston or Lake Charles cheaper to rent in?
Lake Charles is cheaper — a 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $735/mo vs $1,159/mo in Charleston-North Charleston. That's $424/mo or $5,088/year more expensive in Charleston-North Charleston (58% higher).
What is the 2-bedroom rent in Charleston-North Charleston vs Lake Charles?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Charleston-North Charleston is $1,159/month. In Lake Charles, a 2-bedroom FMR is $735/month.
How do incomes compare between Charleston-North Charleston and Lake Charles?
The median household income in Charleston-North Charleston is $57,454/year. In Lake Charles it is $45,479/year. Charleston-North Charleston has the higher median income.
What is the studio rent in Charleston-North Charleston vs Lake Charles?
A studio apartment Fair Market Rent in Charleston-North Charleston is $766/mo. In Lake Charles it is $490/mo.