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Cost of living in Louisiana

Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.

Overall prices vs US average 88.2 11.8% less expensive than the US officialBEA, 2024. US = 100
Rank among 51 states and DC 47th 1st = most expensive derivedFrom BEA, 2024
Housing (rents) vs US average 63.1 46th highest housing costs officialBEA, 2024. US = 100
Income per person, adjusted for prices $56,789 31st of 51, in 2017 dollars officialBEA real personal income, 2024

What the numbers say

  • Overall prices in Louisiana are 11.8% below the national average, the 47th most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
  • Utilities stand out in Louisiana: household electricity, gas, water and sewer prices are 28.5% below the US average.
  • Compared with the rest of the country, Louisiana has become less expensive since 2019: the index went from 91.2 to 88.2, and its rank from 45th to 47th most expensive. Housing in Louisiana moved most, from 70.8 to 63.1.
  • Within Louisiana, metro price levels run from 83.6 in Monroe, LA to 92.7 in Slidell, LA (US = 100).
  • After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $56,789 in 2017 dollars, 31st of 51 (BEA 2024).
  • In Louisiana, housing (36.9% below average) and everyday costs (goods 6.3% below average, other services 4.3% below average) are both below the US level, so the gap is broad rather than just rent.

Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.

Where the money goes

Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.

In Louisiana, housing is the category furthest from the US average: 36.9% below

Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.

All items
88.2
Goods
93.7
Housing (rents)
63.1
Utilities
71.5
Other services
95.7

Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).

Show the numbers
Louisiana
All items88.2
Goods93.7
Housing (rents)63.1
Utilities71.5
Other services95.7

Gas prices

Regular gasoline averaged $3.78 a gallon in the Gulf Coast region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.50 less than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for Louisiana, so this is the regional average. official

Work out your commute's gas cost

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.

Cheapest places to live in Louisiana

By overall prices, the cheapest of the 10 metro areas BEA measures in Louisiana are Monroe, LA (83.6), Hammond, LA (84.5) and Shreveport, LA (84.8); the most expensive is Slidell, LA (92.7). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.

Monroe, LA is the cheapest metro area in Louisiana (83.6); Slidell, LA the most expensive (92.7)

Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.

Monroe, LA
83.6
Hammond, LA
84.5
Shreveport, LA
84.8
Houma, LA
85.1
Alexandria, LA
85.7
Lake Charles, LA
85.9
Lafayette, LA
87.2
Baton Rouge, LA
90.8
New Orleans, LA
92.6
Slidell, LA
92.7

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).

Show the numbers
All items
Monroe, LA83.6
Hammond, LA84.5
Shreveport, LA84.8
Houma, LA85.1
Alexandria, LA85.7
Lake Charles, LA85.9
Lafayette, LA87.2
Baton Rouge, LA90.8
New Orleans, LA92.6
Slidell, LA92.7
Metro area Overall Housing Goods Utilities Other services Typical rent
Monroe, LA 83.6 42.8 93.7 72.2 95.7 $1,180
Hammond, LA 84.5 48.2 93.7 71.0 95.7 $1,315
Shreveport, LA 84.8 52.3 93.7 72.6 95.7 $1,282
Houma, LA 85.1 51.3 93.7 71.3 95.7 $1,302
Alexandria, LA 85.7 53.7 93.7 71.1 95.7 $1,029
Lake Charles, LA 85.9 51.8 93.7 71.7 95.7 $1,358
Lafayette, LA 87.2 58.8 93.7 71.2 95.7 $1,385
Baton Rouge, LA 90.8 74.2 93.7 71.2 95.7 $1,366
New Orleans, LA 92.6 86.0 93.7 71.2 95.7 $1,577
Slidell, LA 92.7 85.4 93.7 71.7 95.7 n/a

Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.

How prices have changed since 2008

Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.

Louisiana has become less expensive relative to the US since 2008: 91.5 then, 88.2 now

Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.

US average = 100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).

Show the numbers
Louisiana
200891.5
200990.2
201092.2
201192.7
201292.9
201392.9
201493.4
201592.8
201693.6
201792.4
201890.8
201991.2
202091.1
202191.4
202290.5
202388.7
202488.2

Goods: 96.4 in 2008, 93.7 in 2024

US = 100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).

Show the numbers
Louisiana
200896.4
200994.0
201096.8
201196.2
201295.6
201396.2
201496.4
201595.4
201696.1
201795.8
201893.6
201995.1
202094.6
202195.2
202294.0
202393.0
202493.7

Housing (rents): 67.7 in 2008, 63.1 in 2024

US = 100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).

Show the numbers
Louisiana
200867.7
200971.0
201071.5
201172.0
201273.1
201372.2
201473.1
201571.5
201672.9
201771.0
201869.2
201970.8
202068.0
202166.8
202266.9
202365.1
202463.1

Utilities: 87.8 in 2008, 71.5 in 2024

US = 100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).

Show the numbers
Louisiana
200887.8
200973.1
201080.1
201178.4
201275.0
201380.0
201480.7
201579.1
201678.6
201777.8
201876.5
201977.4
202076.8
202180.7
202284.3
202376.7
202471.5

Other services: 97.7 in 2008, 95.7 in 2024

US = 100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).

Show the numbers
Louisiana
200897.7
200996.8
201098.4
201199.7
2012100.5
2013100.1
2014100.1
2015100.4
2016101.1
201799.2
201898.2
201997.2
202099.5
202198.8
202297.3
202395.6
202495.7

What incomes buy here

BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.

After adjusting for prices, income per person in Louisiana is $56,789, 31st of 51

Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).

  • Louisiana
  • United States

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.

Show the numbers
LouisianaUnited States
2008$47,032$45,816
2009$45,953$44,204
2010$45,679$44,808
2011$45,344$45,957
2012$46,358$46,796
2013$46,119$46,358
2014$46,949$47,661
2015$47,113$49,396
2016$45,897$49,828
2017$47,192$51,006
2018$49,191$52,242
2019$49,920$53,683
2020$52,747$56,514
2021$55,469$59,365
2022$52,781$57,104
2023$55,235$58,088
2024$56,789$59,195

Compare Louisiana with other states

States with similar prices

All states ranked · States ranked by what income buys

Compare two cities

Sources and limits

  • Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
  • Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
  • State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.

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