Burlington vs Lake Charles
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Burlington
Lake Charles
The Verdict
Lake Charles is 40.5% less expensive than Burlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Burlington would need approximately $53,390 in Lake Charles to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Burlington has the same purchasing power as $53,390 in Lake Charles.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lake Charles equals $105,357 in Burlington.
Living in Burlington vs Lake Charles
Housing Costs
Burlington's housing index of 139 is higher Lake Charles's 69, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $149,000. The $231,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,012 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Burlington compared to $925/mo in Lake Charles, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Burlington and 96 in Lake Charles. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Burlington vs $456/month in Lake Charles. Lake Charles offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Burlington and 71 in Lake Charles. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Burlington vs $284 in Lake Charles. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 116 in Burlington and 102 in Lake Charles. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $51,098 in Burlington and $59,200 in Lake Charles. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,303 and $70,476 respectively. Lake Charles residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,192/month to housing in Burlington vs $1,381/month in Lake Charles. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Lake Charles, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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