Loading
Assembling your view…
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Dollar for dollar, few states match Louisiana's value. 4 out of 4 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: New Orleans at index 97, where median rent of $1,625/month saves renters $3,240/year versus the national median.
| Rank | City | Combined Rate | Income Tax | Sales Tax | Cost Index | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans | 14.3% | 4.25% | 9.55% | 97 | Details |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | 14.3% | 4.25% | 9.55% | 91 | Details |
| 3 | Shreveport | 14.3% | 4.25% | 9.55% | 85 | Details |
| 4 | Lafayette | 14.3% | 4.25% | 9.55% | 90 | Details |
#1 Ranked: New Orleans — cost index 97, rent $1,625/mo, income $55,339
4 of 4 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 112
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
Dollar for dollar, few states match Louisiana's value. 4 out of 4 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: New Orleans at index 97, where median rent of $1,625/month saves renters $3,240/year versus the national median.
What does daily life actually cost in New Orleans? Start with the 35% rent-to-income ratio — stretched, especially for single earners. On the category level, Utilities (index 89) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 100) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $55,339 and homes at $239,751 round out a profile that ranks #1 for clear reasons.
The same data, viewed through a different lens: Here's the state-level backdrop: Louisiana averages a 91 cost index, $1,347/mo rent, and $53,801 income across 4 cities. That's $548 less than the national rent average. Cajun culture and below-average costs — and that context shapes every city in this ranking.
Put it this way: Bottom line: New Orleans leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1New Orleans | 4.25% | 9.55% | 0.51% | $41,526 |
2Baton Rouge | 4.25% | 9.55% | 0.51% | $41,526 |
3Shreveport | 4.25% | 9.55% | 0.51% | $41,526 |
4Lafayette | 4.25% | 9.55% | 0.51% | $41,526 |
364,136 residents · Louisiana
A closer look at New Orleans: the cost index of 97 breaks down to a Utilities index of 89 (strongest category) and a Healthcare index of 100 (weakest). Median rent is $1,625/month — 14% below the national median — while household income sits at $55,339, meaning locals spend about 35% of income on rent. That exceeds the recommended 30% threshold — affordability here depends on earning above the median.
219,573 residents · Louisiana
Why Baton Rouge ranks #2: the numbers tell a clear story. At 91 on the cost index, residents save roughly 21% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,312/month while the median household pulls in $49,944/year. The Housing category is particularly strong at 78, though Healthcare (94) lags behind. Home prices average $224,899 — $242,471 below the national median.
177,959 residents · Louisiana
Dive into Shreveport's numbers: cost index 85 (27 points below national average), rent $1,170/month, income $48,465, and a home price of $134,461. It's fine. Not great, not bad. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 62, while Healthcare runs 87. With 177,959 residents, it balances mid-size city convenience with manageable costs.
121,467 residents · Louisiana
Lafayette earns its position at #4 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 90 cost index sits 22 points below the national baseline, and the $61,454 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $219,057 — $248,313 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 76, while Healthcare trails at 93.
New Orleans ranks #1 in Louisiana for this analysis with a cost index of 97 and median income of $55,339.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
New Orleans (ranked #1) has a cost index of 97 and rent of $1,625/mo, while Lafayette (ranked #4) has a cost index of 90 and rent of $1,279/mo — a 7-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in New Orleans is $1,625/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $270 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in New Orleans is $239,751, which is 4.3× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
Louisiana has a 4.25% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 9.55%, and the effective property tax rate is 0.51%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.