Cost of Living in Louisiana
Based on 3 cities we track in Louisiana.
Cost of living in Louisiana is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $854 a month — 19% lower than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $49,944, 26% lower than the $67,043 median across the states we track. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$854
Median Home Value
$224,500
Median Income
$49,944
Avg Temperature
68.5°F
Medians across the Louisiana cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
5%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 3.00%
Cities in Louisiana
Compare Louisiana with
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Louisiana cost of living — FAQ
- Is Louisiana expensive to live in?
- Louisiana is among the more affordable of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $854 ranks #42 of 51 and is 19% lower than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in Louisiana?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Louisiana, average rent runs a studio around $881, a one-bedroom around $854, a two-bedroom around $1,075, a three-bedroom around $1,241 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Louisiana?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Louisiana is $224,500 — 22% lower than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does Louisiana have a state income tax?
- Yes — Louisiana's top state income tax rate is 3.00% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 5%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Louisiana?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $854 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Louisiana is $49,944.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).