Louisiana Cost of Living & Rents (2026)
Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, and composite living cost indices across all 18 benchmark metropolitan areas in Louisiana.
Data updated · Sources: HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget · Methodology
Metropolitan Areas in Louisiana
| Metro Area | COL Index | HUD 1BR Rent | HUD 2BR Rent | Living Wage | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | 114.8 | $1,164/mo | $1,354/mo | $25.40/hr | View |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 109.5 | $1,014/mo | $1,149/mo | $24.22/hr | View |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 105.8 | $1,229/mo | $1,480/mo | $23.39/hr | View |
| Assumption Parish, LA | 103.2 | $762/mo | $932/mo | $22.82/hr | View |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101.7 | $941/mo | $1,231/mo | $22.48/hr | View |
| Hammond, LA | 101.5 | $854/mo | $1,097/mo | $22.45/hr | View |
| Iberville Parish, LA | 99.0 | $819/mo | $892/mo | $21.89/hr | View |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 98.1 | $903/mo | $1,098/mo | $21.69/hr | View |
| Richland Parish, LA | 96.8 | $785/mo | $975/mo | $21.41/hr | View |
| St. James Parish, LA | 96.7 | $891/mo | $1,165/mo | $21.39/hr | View |
| Monroe, LA | 95.8 | $794/mo | $1,017/mo | $21.19/hr | View |
| Lafayette, LA | 95.8 | $971/mo | $1,092/mo | $21.19/hr | View |
| Alexandria, LA | 94.7 | $796/mo | $995/mo | $20.95/hr | View |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 93.5 | $926/mo | $1,045/mo | $20.68/hr | View |
| Jefferson Davis Parish, LA | 93.1 | $704/mo | $921/mo | $20.59/hr | View |
| Morehouse Parish, LA | 92.9 | $710/mo | $892/mo | $20.55/hr | View |
| Acadia Parish, LA | 92.1 | $690/mo | $902/mo | $20.37/hr | View |
| Vermilion Parish, LA | 91.4 | $826/mo | $899/mo | $20.21/hr | View |
Comprehensive 2026 cost of living analysis for Louisiana. Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, state income tax impact, and metropolitan living costs. Official 2026 economic data for Louisiana compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
Its metros average a cost-of-living index of 98.7 (U.S. = 100), from EPI family budgets. Average one-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent across its metros is about $877 a month.
The average living wage for a single adult in Louisiana is approximately $21.83/hour, while a family with two adults and one child requires roughly $19.61/hour to cover basic necessities.