Cost of Living in Louisiana

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to easily compare the cost of living in your current location to the cost of living in a new location. We use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities to give you a comparison of costs and salary. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!
About Louisiana    Louisiana is bordered to the west by Texas; to the north by Arkansas; to the east by Mississippi; and to the south by the Gulf of Mexico. The state ma....More
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Louisiana's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $7.25 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Louisiana


Cost of Living Index in Major Cities of Louisiana

A comparison of the Cost of Living indexes across major Louisiana Cities compared to the national average. The calculations are based on the total cost of energy, food, healthcare, housing and transportation, among other factors.


City, State Compared to national average
City, State New Orleans, Louisiana Compared to national average
+ 0.4%
City, State Baton Rouge, Louisiana Compared to national average
-0.8%
City, State Shreveport, Louisiana Compared to national average
-8.8%
City, State Lafayette, Louisiana Compared to national average
-2.1%
City, State Lake Charles, Louisiana Compared to national average
-6.1%
City, State Kenner, Louisiana Compared to national average
+ 0.3%
City, State Alexandria, Louisiana Compared to national average
-10.6%
City, State Bossier City, Louisiana Compared to national average
-8.8%
City, State Houma, Louisiana Compared to national average
-0.4%
City, State La Place, Louisiana Compared to national average
-0.4%
City, State Marrero, Louisiana Compared to national average
+ 0.4%
City, State Metairie, Louisiana Compared to national average
+ 0.4%
City, State Monroe, Louisiana Compared to national average
-8.0%
City, State New Iberia, Louisiana Compared to national average
-2.7%



Cost of Living by Cities in Louisiana



Cost of Living by Major Cities

Click to see the cost of living for these major U.S. cities.


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About Louisiana

Louisiana is bordered to the west by Texas; to the north by Arkansas; to the east by Mississippi; and to the south by the Gulf of Mexico. The state may properly be divided into two parts, the uplands of the north, and the alluvial along the coast. The alluvial region includes low swamp lands, coastal marshlands and beaches, and barrier islands that cover about 20,000 square miles (52,000 km2). This area lies principally along the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River, which traverses the state from north to south for a distance of about 600 mi (970 km)) and empties into the Gulf of Mexico; ...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia



Comments about the Cost of Living in Louisiana

Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living

Louisiana is ranked number 47 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability. Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

Hot summers and the cost of living

Louisiana has one of the highest state-wide average temperatures during the summer months of June, July, and August. If you live in Louisiana, it is likely that your air conditioner will be running non-stop for most of the summer. This could contribute to higher energy costs during the summer based on your thermostat setting and preference for a cool indoor climate. A hot summer is usually followed by cooler temperatures during the winter months when heating expenses may be low. Because the cost of living is linked to energy costs, expect an increase in those costs during the summer months if you live in Louisiana. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )



Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-02-26 salary.com )


Last Update: 2024-02-26