FY2027 Small Area FMR · Lake Charles, LA

ZIP 70609 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 70609 (Lake Charles, LA) is $1,340 a month, unchanged from FY2026. That is 9% above the Lake Charles, LA area-wide FMR of $1,231.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,340per month ■ 0.0%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,231Lake Charles, LA

Rank in the area5thof 28 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,206

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,340

110% of SAFMR$1,474

Housing agencies may set voucher payment standards anywhere from 90% to 110% of the FMR without asking HUD.

Studio$1,010■ 0.0%

1 BR$1,020■ 0.0%

2 BR$1,340■ 0.0%

3 BR$1,590▼ 0.6%

4 BR$1,860▲ 5.1%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 70609 sits in the Lake Charles, LA area

Of the 28 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 70609 has the 5th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Lake Charles, LA is not on HUD's list of mandatory Small Area FMR areas, so voucher payment standards here are normally based on the area-wide FMR of $1,231 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,340 for this ZIP code instead.

All unit sizes

Monthly gross rent including utilities
Unit	FY2027 SAFMR	Payment standard range	Area-wide FMR	FY2026 SAFMR
Studio	$1,010	$909 – $1,111	$935	$1,010
1 bedroom	$1,020	$918 – $1,122	$941	$1,020
2 bedrooms	$1,340	$1,206 – $1,474	$1,231	$1,340
3 bedrooms	$1,590	$1,431 – $1,749	$1,467	$1,600
4 bedrooms	$1,860	$1,674 – $2,046	$1,713	$1,770

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,340 needs about $53,600 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $93,000 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $74,400. ZIP code 70609 lies mainly in Calcasieu Parish. See the Lake Charles, LA metro page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
70629	Lake Charles	0.0 mi	$1,230
70663	Sulphur	3.2 mi	$1,100
70669	Westlake	3.6 mi	$1,150
70601	Lake Charles	7.1 mi	$1,100
70611	Lake Charles	9.3 mi	$1,390
70605	Lake Charles	9.8 mi	$1,480

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 70609?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 70609 are $1,010 (studio), $1,020 (1 BR), $1,340 (2 BR), $1,590 (3 BR) and $1,860 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 70609?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 70609 that range is $1,206 to $1,474 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 70609?

The FY2026 income limits of the Lake Charles, LA area apply: median family income $93,000, low-income (80%) limit $74,400 for a family of four.