57 cities · Updated March 2026
Louisiana is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a state-wide cost index of 73. The average monthly rent across Louisiana cities is $1,088, with median household incomes averaging $63,414 per year. The cheapest city is Crowley (index 42) and the most expensive is Belle Chasse (index 110).
Louisiana has a moderate tax environment with a 4.25% top income tax rate, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% effective property tax rate.
Sorted from cheapest to most expensive (US average = 100)
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent | Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crowley | 42 | $560/mo | $27,826 | $141,800 | 11,554 |
| 2 | Bogalusa | 43 | $710/mo | $37,846 | $107,000 | 10,539 |
| 3 | Opelousas | 45 | $734/mo | $36,260 | $113,000 | 15,662 |
| 4 | Abbeville | 46 | $800/mo | $34,977 | $99,900 | 11,086 |
| 5 | Raceland | 46 | $632/mo | $53,328 | $163,100 | 10,517 |
| 6 | Minden | 49 | $803/mo | $29,597 | $116,700 | 11,604 |
| 7 | Morgan | 55 | $861/mo | $56,729 | $146,100 | 11,208 |
| 8 | New Iberia | 55 | $878/mo | $50,802 | $150,300 | 27,926 |
| 9 | West Monroe | 56 | $815/mo | $46,663 | $174,400 | 12,837 |
| 10 | Monroe | 57 | $823/mo | $36,521 | $174,800 | 47,241 |
| 11 | Natchitoches | 57 | $777/mo | $38,731 | $188,400 | 17,682 |
| 12 | Marrero | 61 | $997/mo | $45,633 | $173,200 | 31,866 |
| 13 | Pineville | 61 | $876/mo | $51,583 | $182,900 | 14,268 |
| 14 | Ruston | 62 | $819/mo | $32,765 | $226,700 | 22,224 |
| 15 | Alexandria | 63 | $946/mo | $47,357 | $182,800 | 44,566 |
| 16 | Sulphur | 63 | $1,015/mo | $58,044 | $175,200 | 21,004 |
| 17 | Baker | 64 | $1,031/mo | $59,451 | $146,700 | 12,322 |
| 18 | Shreveport | 65 | $980/mo | $48,465 | $178,100 | 183,483 |
| 19 | Hammond | 66 | $932/mo | $41,222 | $219,400 | 20,790 |
| 20 | Bayou Blue | 68 | $1,207/mo | $60,189 | $184,200 | 11,218 |
| 21 | Carencro | 68 | $924/mo | $70,217 | $211,200 | 10,882 |
| 22 | Houma | 69 | $1,011/mo | $54,637 | $207,900 | 32,760 |
| 23 | Bayou Cane | 70 | $1,046/mo | $73,235 | $195,900 | 22,143 |
| 24 | Bossier | 71 | $1,097/mo | $55,130 | $192,300 | 62,832 |
| 25 | Lake Charles | 71 | $1,090/mo | $56,864 | $204,000 | 81,679 |
| 26 | Laplace | 71 | $1,097/mo | $68,028 | $188,900 | 28,480 |
| 27 | Thibodaux | 71 | $989/mo | $53,775 | $237,400 | 15,792 |
| 28 | Chalmette | 72 | $1,089/mo | $56,875 | $203,800 | 22,447 |
| 29 | Terrytown | 72 | $1,065/mo | $56,944 | $212,000 | 25,844 |
| 30 | Baton Rouge | 73 | $1,044/mo | $49,944 | $224,500 | 223,699 |
| 31 | Gretna | 74 | $1,017/mo | $46,045 | $242,600 | 17,468 |
| 32 | Harvey | 74 | $1,196/mo | $43,524 | $189,700 | 21,710 |
| 33 | Claiborne | 77 | $1,181/mo | $69,173 | $214,100 | 12,647 |
| 34 | Lafayette | 77 | $1,065/mo | $61,454 | $251,300 | 121,537 |
| 35 | Kenner | 78 | $1,129/mo | $64,099 | $241,800 | 65,113 |
| 36 | Waggaman | 79 | $1,417/mo | $59,566 | $158,500 | 10,617 |
| 37 | Gardere | 80 | $1,135/mo | $60,694 | $250,600 | 12,130 |
| 38 | Estelle | 81 | $1,301/mo | $73,519 | $199,300 | 16,761 |
| 39 | Woodmere | 82 | $1,374/mo | $73,615 | $187,000 | 11,775 |
| 40 | Slidell | 84 | $1,381/mo | $66,657 | $207,800 | 28,664 |
| 41 | Broussard | 85 | $982/mo | $116,613 | $301,000 | 13,791 |
| 42 | Moss Bluff | 85 | $1,303/mo | $85,984 | $242,300 | 11,451 |
| 43 | River Ridge | 86 | $1,067/mo | $84,464 | $330,700 | 13,170 |
| 44 | Gonzales | 87 | $1,550/mo | $66,152 | $212,800 | 12,748 |
| 45 | Timberlane | 87 | $1,410/mo | $66,170 | $209,200 | 11,169 |
| 46 | Metairie | 88 | $1,159/mo | $73,256 | $308,900 | 138,995 |
| 47 | Destrehan | 90 | $1,154/mo | $100,189 | $303,400 | 11,786 |
| 48 | New Orleans | 90 | $1,211/mo | $55,339 | $296,400 | 376,035 |
| 49 | Central | 92 | $1,373/mo | $90,091 | $270,700 | 29,603 |
| 50 | Youngsville | 92 | $1,318/mo | $113,164 | $263,200 | 16,664 |
| 51 | Shenandoah | 94 | $1,216/mo | $107,544 | $319,300 | 18,259 |
| 52 | Covington | 95 | $1,374/mo | $73,809 | $292,500 | 11,568 |
| 53 | Prairieville | 95 | $1,225/mo | $115,610 | $302,200 | 35,010 |
| 54 | Luling | 98 | $1,570/mo | $82,273 | $268,400 | 13,873 |
| 55 | Zachary | 99 | $1,440/mo | $90,507 | $258,000 | 19,637 |
| 56 | Mandeville | 105 | $1,326/mo | $89,122 | $363,300 | 12,931 |
| 57 | Belle Chasse | 110 | $1,545/mo | $96,381 | $361,800 | 11,046 |
Common questions about cost of living in Louisiana