Cost of Living in Louisiana (LA)
Compare costs across 4 Louisiana cities. From home services to salaries, see how LA stacks up against the national average.
4
Cities
89
Avg Cost Index
$42K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Louisiana's average cost index is 89, which is below the national baseline of 100. Shreveport is the most affordable tracked city in LA at index 82, while New Orleans is the most expensive at index 97.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 15 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Louisiana Highlights: Most affordable city: Shreveport (index 82). Most expensive: New Orleans (index 97). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 15 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
89/100
Louisiana is below the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Shreveport
Shreveport has a cost index of 82.
Most expensive
New Orleans
New Orleans has a cost index of 97.
Income average
$42K
Average median household income across 4 tracked LA cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Louisiana
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 384K | 97 | $46K | large |
| Baton Rouge | 227K | 90 | $42K | mid |
| Shreveport | 187K | 82 | $34K | mid |
| Lafayette | 121K | 86 | $47K | mid |
Louisiana State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Louisiana.
State Income Tax
1.85-4.25%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
9.55%
4.45% state + 5.1% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
0.55%
~$1,650/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Louisiana uses a progressive income tax at 1.85-4.25%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Shreveport if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Louisiana.
- Compare New Orleans against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.