Cost of Living in Louisiana
Updated November 2026 · population 4,611,961
Louisiana prices are 11.8% below the US average (index 88.2), ranking 47th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest saving at 63.1, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,261 a month.
Prices by category
Louisiana price index by category, US average = 100: All items 88.2, Housing (rents) 63.1, Goods 93.7, Utilities 71.5, Other services 95.7
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Louisiana (whole state) | 88.2 |
| Metropolitan areas of Louisiana | 89.1 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Louisiana | 82.5 |
Cities in Louisiana
Select a column heading to sort.
| New Orleans | 371,853 | 93.5 | $2,442 | $4,841 | $1,251 | $315,700 |
| Baton Rouge | 222,771 | 89.9 | $2,291 | $4,632 | $1,067 | $234,700 |
| Shreveport | 180,982 | 86.7 | $2,183 | $4,443 | $987 | $178,900 |
| Metairie | 139,729 | 92.5 | $2,452 | $5,180 | $1,175 | $327,500 |
| Lafayette | 121,715 | 89.1 | $2,301 | $4,656 | $1,100 | $257,000 |
| Lake Charles | 81,143 | 87.2 | $2,267 | $4,578 | $1,109 | $214,300 |
| Kenner | 64,904 | 92.5 | $2,374 | $4,831 | $1,179 | $246,300 |
| Bossier City | 62,901 | 87.9 | $2,225 | $4,634 | $1,107 | $202,100 |
| Thibodaux | 15,732 | 86.5 | $2,097 | $4,595 | $960 | $232,500 |
Metro areas in Louisiana
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 92.7 | 85.4 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 92.6 | 86.0 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 90.8 | 74.2 |
| Lafayette, LA | 87.2 | 58.8 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 85.9 | 51.8 |
| Alexandria, LA | 85.7 | 53.7 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 85.1 | 51.3 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 84.8 | 52.3 |
| Hammond, LA | 84.5 | 48.2 |
| Monroe, LA | 83.6 | 42.8 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Louisiana.
Modelled monthly budget at Louisiana average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Louisiana (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $728 | $8,736 | 32% |
| Utilities | $221 | $2,652 | 10% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 12% |
| Transportation | $554 | $6,648 | 25% |
| Health care | $336 | $4,032 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $158 | $1,896 | 7% |
| Total | $2,261 | $27,132 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Louisiana (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $846 | $10,152 | 23% |
| Utilities | $348 | $4,176 | 9% |
| Food at home | $488 | $5,856 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,096 | $13,152 | 30% |
| Health care | $623 | $7,476 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $311 | $3,732 | 8% |
| Total | $3,712 | $44,544 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Louisiana (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $966 | $11,592 | 21% |
| Utilities | $424 | $5,088 | 9% |
| Food at home | $696 | $8,352 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,458 | $17,496 | 32% |
| Health care | $581 | $6,972 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $400 | $4,800 | 9% |
| Total | $4,525 | $54,300 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
12.87¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +2.5% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +44.8% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the South region rose +3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 91.2 | 91.1 | 91.4 | 90.5 | 88.7 | 88.2 |
Change over the period: −3.0 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Louisiana an expensive state to live in?
Louisiana has a cost of living index of 88.2 (US = 100), 11.8% below the US average. It ranks 47th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 63.1 (rank 46), goods 93.7, utilities 71.5 and other services 95.7. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Louisiana?
At Louisiana state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,261 for a single adult, $3,712 for a couple and $4,525 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 89.1 and nonmetro areas 82.5.
What is the median rent and home value in Louisiana?
The median gross rent in Louisiana is $1,064 a month and the median home value is $216,500 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 32.8% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 22.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Gulf Coast (PADD 3), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, South region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology