CostIndexUSA

Lake Charles, LA vs Pembroke Pines, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Lake Charles
85.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
FL
Pembroke Pines
114.2
overall index
$2,650/mo rent

Lake Charles is dramatically cheaper than Pembroke Pines — 32.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lake Charles, you would need $106,400 in Pembroke Pines. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+200.4%
Lake Charles
51.8
Pembroke Pines
155.6
🛒 Groceries+10.6%
Lake Charles
93.7
Pembroke Pines
103.6
🚗 Transportation+14.0%
Lake Charles
100.5
Pembroke Pines
114.6
🏥 Healthcare+14.1%
Lake Charles
90.9
Pembroke Pines
103.7
Utilities+35.6%
Lake Charles
71.7
Pembroke Pines
97.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pembroke Pines, FL
$106,400
$26,400 more needed in Pembroke Pines

Formula: salary × (114.2 ÷ 85.9) = salary × 1.3295. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lake Charles, LA

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

Pembroke Pines, FL

Median Home Price
$467,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,650
Housing Index
155.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.7×

Pembroke Pines has 200.4% higher housing costs compared to Lake Charles.

Income & Job Market

Lake Charles, LA

Median Household Income
$65,100
Per Capita Income
$37,100
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
77,403
Top Industries
EnergyPetrochemicalsHealthcareGamingManufacturing

Pembroke Pines, FL

Median Household Income
$76,300
Per Capita Income
$43,500
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Population
173,591
Top Industries
HealthcareRetailEducationFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

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

79% of income left after rent (median)

Pembroke Pines, FL
2.4×income-to-rent ratio

58% of income left after rent (median)

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.