Cost of Living in Louisiana
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 487 cities in LA. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Louisiana is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Louisiana, with comparisons to national averages.
Louisiana's average home value of $135,394 is 45% below the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $47,948, and average monthly rent is $648.
Most Affordable Cities in Louisiana
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Polk South | $0 | $1,175/mo | $62,790 | 8,056 |
| 2 | Tallulah | $83,900 | $602/mo | $32,624 | 6,124 |
| 3 | Bastrop | $85,400 | $828/mo | $30,069 | 9,408 |
| 4 | Ville Platte | $88,100 | $678/mo | $28,874 | 6,299 |
| 5 | St. Martinville | $91,700 | $770/mo | $33,132 | 5,367 |
| 6 | Franklin | $98,200 | $861/mo | $46,278 | 6,557 |
| 7 | Abbeville | $99,900 | $800/mo | $34,977 | 11,086 |
| 8 | Oakdale | $106,800 | $766/mo | $45,038 | 6,614 |
| 9 | Bogalusa | $107,000 | $710/mo | $37,846 | 10,539 |
| 10 | Leesville | $109,700 | $863/mo | $38,292 | 5,610 |
| 11 | Opelousas | $113,000 | $734/mo | $36,260 | 15,662 |
| 12 | Minden | $116,700 | $803/mo | $29,597 | 11,604 |
| 13 | Bridge City | $119,800 | $1,306/mo | $55,728 | 7,258 |
| 14 | Eunice | $120,600 | $778/mo | $36,356 | 9,261 |
| 15 | Merrydale | $124,300 | $1,187/mo | $41,986 | 9,149 |
Most Expensive Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oak Hills Place | $411,800 | $1,444/mo | $97,466 | 8,380 |
| 2 | Mandeville | $363,300 | $1,326/mo | $89,122 | 12,931 |
| 3 | Belle Chasse | $361,800 | $1,545/mo | $96,381 | 11,046 |
| 4 | River Ridge | $330,700 | $1,067/mo | $84,464 | 13,170 |
| 5 | Eden Isle | $324,600 | $1,307/mo | $76,427 | 7,753 |
| 6 | Inniswold | $323,300 | $1,402/mo | $101,149 | 6,061 |
| 7 | Shenandoah | $319,300 | $1,216/mo | $107,544 | 18,259 |
| 8 | Harahan | $309,400 | $1,052/mo | $78,222 | 8,939 |
| 9 | Metairie | $308,900 | $1,159/mo | $73,256 | 138,995 |
| 10 | Destrehan | $303,400 | $1,154/mo | $100,189 | 11,786 |
Highest Income Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broussard | $116,613 | $301,000 | 13,791 |
| 2 | Prairieville | $115,610 | $302,200 | 35,010 |
| 3 | Youngsville | $113,164 | $263,200 | 16,664 |
| 4 | Shenandoah | $107,544 | $319,300 | 18,259 |
| 5 | Addis | $105,635 | $242,300 | 7,052 |
| 6 | Inniswold | $101,149 | $323,300 | 6,061 |
| 7 | Destrehan | $100,189 | $303,400 | 11,786 |
| 8 | Oak Hills Place | $97,466 | $411,800 | 8,380 |
| 9 | Belle Chasse | $96,381 | $361,800 | 11,046 |
| 10 | Village St. George | $94,191 | $248,600 | 8,880 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Louisiana
What is the average cost of living in Louisiana?
The average median home value across Louisiana cities is $135,394, with average rent of $648/month. The average median household income is $47,948.
What are the cheapest cities in Louisiana?
The most affordable cities in Louisiana by home value include Fort Polk South ($0), Tallulah ($83,900), Bastrop ($85,400).
What is the most expensive city in Louisiana?
The most expensive city in Louisiana is Oak Hills Place with a median home value of $411,800.
How does Louisiana compare to the national average?
Louisiana's average home value of $135,394 is below the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $648/month is below the US average of $1,163.