Lake Charles vs Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Fair Market Rent Comparison — HUD 2025 Data
Quick Answer
Lake Charles is 66% cheaper for renters. A 2-bedroom rents for $735/mo vs $1,218/mo in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater — saving $5,796/year.
Rent by Unit Size
| Unit Size | Lake Charles | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $490 | $817 | $327 |
| 1 Bedroom | $592 | $967 | $375 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $735 | $1,218 | $483 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $930 | $1,527 | $597 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $984 | $1,752 | $768 |
| Median Income | $45,479 | $69,520 | $24,041 |
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
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
- Studio
- $817/mo
- 1 BR
- $967/mo
- 2 BR
- $1,218/mo
- 3 BR
- $1,527/mo
- 4 BR
- $1,752/mo
- Median Income
- $69,520/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater cheaper to rent in?
Lake Charles is cheaper — a 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $735/mo vs $1,218/mo in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater. That's $483/mo or $5,796/year more expensive in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (66% higher).
What is the 2-bedroom rent in Lake Charles vs Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Lake Charles is $735/month. In Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, a 2-bedroom FMR is $1,218/month.
How do incomes compare between Lake Charles and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater?
The median household income in Lake Charles is $45,479/year. In Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater it is $69,520/year. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater has the higher median income.
What is the studio rent in Lake Charles vs Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater?
A studio apartment Fair Market Rent in Lake Charles is $490/mo. In Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater it is $817/mo.