Lake Charles, LA
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Overview
Annual Rev
$30.5k
12 mo avg
↑24%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
🔒 4•%
12 mo avg
••.•%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
🔒 $1••
12 mo avg
••.•%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
22 days
12 mo avg
↓0 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
$53
12 mo avg
↓4%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Lake Charles market data as of May 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Avg. Zestimate
Gross yield
Supply
Revenue boost by amenity
| Amenity | Listings With | Revenue Boost | Revenue With | Revenue Without |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Tub | 35 (5%) | +$19,773 (+50%) | $59,284 | $39,512 |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
1 bedroom (12.1 nights)
2 bedrooms (8.6 nights)
3 bedrooms (7.5 nights)
Studio (6.6 nights)
4+ bedrooms (5.9 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
4+ bedrooms ($161)
3 bedrooms ($119)
2 bedrooms ($83)
1 bedroom ($69)
Studio ($44)
Professional host share
Professionally managed (68%)
Independent hosts (32%)
As of May 2026, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Port Arthur have 888 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 10% decrease from the previous year.
The average Airbnb or VRBO in Lake Charles generates $28K per year. High-performing properties earn $58K/year, while low-performing properties earn $9K/year. The wide performance gap suggests that revenue is heavily concentrated in optimized listings, as the overall market experiences a contraction in total revenue despite stable inventory levels.
Average home prices in Lake Charles vary by property size: 1-bedroom properties cost approximately $0, 2-bedroom homes average $133K, 3-bedroom properties are around $210K, and 4+ bedroom homes average $311K. These prices reflect median home values across the Lake Charles, Lafayette, Port Arthur area.
Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Lake Charles, with an average gross yield of 15% across all properties. High-performing properties achieve yields up to 30%, which is considered top for short-term rental investment. This delta indicates that while average returns remain modest, top-tier assets capture significantly higher value within a tightening supply environment.
The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Lake Charles is 40%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $194, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $48 per day.
2-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Lake Charles, with an average gross yield of 17% and annual revenue of $22K. These properties balance purchase price ($133K), operating costs, and rental demand most effectively in the Lake Charles market.
Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Lake Charles area. Lake Charles: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or permit requirements. Operates under general business licensing and zoning. Minimal enforcement. Lafayette: Lenient. Business license and occupancy permit required. No owner-occupancy rules or density caps. Light enforcement, primarily complaint-driven. Port Arthur: Lenient. General business license needed, basic safety inspections. No STR-specific regulations or caps. Minimal enforcement activity. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.
The Lake Charles Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 10% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 13%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics, suggesting that the recent decline in revenue per available room is tempering the market's capacity as supply exits.
Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak spring season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 25% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (February-January) when gaining traction is harder.
The most common amenities in Lake Charles listings include: Air Conditioning (100%), Kitchen (95%), Tv (90%), Washing Machine (90%), Heating (71%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Lake Access, Bbq, with Pool properties earning approximately 24% more ($49K/year vs $39K/year).
Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Lake Charles over the last 12 months: May: $1K, June: $2K, July: $2K, August: $2K, September: $1K, October: $1K, November: $1K, December: $1K, January: $960, February: $1K, March: $2K, April: $2K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.
The overall average nightly rate in Lake Charles is $194, up 36% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $112/night, 2-bedroom properties average $157/night, 3-bedroom properties average $210/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $302/night. Rates peak in April and are lowest in May.
Guests in Lake Charles book an average of 22 days in advance, down 11% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 18 days, 2-bedroom: 19 days, 3-bedroom: 22 days, 4+ bedroom: 29 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.
Over the past year, the Lake Charles Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 10%, revenue per listing decreased 13%, occupancy fell 7%, average nightly rates increased 36%, and lead time decreased 11%. These shifts reflect a move toward higher pricing strategies despite lower occupancy, signaling a recalibration of market demand.
In Lake Charles, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 28% higher occupancy than weekdays.