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Cost & Benefits

Most affordable towns in Louisiana, 2026

Larose is the most affordable ranked town in Louisiana. Rent, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity are 22.5% each. Gasoline is 10%. A lower score is more affordable.

Summary

101
Towns ranked in Louisiana.
Larose
Number 1 in Louisiana. Rent is 11.3% of income. National rank 1.
21.9%
Median rent share among ranked towns in Louisiana.
21
Ranked Louisiana towns in the national top 100.
Gretna
Least affordable ranked town in Louisiana. Rent is 29.5% of income. National rank 2127.

Gasoline

$3.954

per gallon. EIA does not publish a Louisiana price. This is the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) price for the week of October 12, 2026. At 12,000 miles a year and 25 mpg, that is $1,897.92 a year for every ranked town in Louisiana.

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Cost & Benefits. "2026 Most Affordable Towns Index: Louisiana." October 16, 2026. https://costandbenefits.com/reports/most-affordable-towns-2026/louisiana

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Benefits and taxes in Louisiana

Top 25

  1. #1 in Louisiana · National #1

    Larose

    Rent share 11.3% · Price level 85.1 · Score 0.110

    Median rent is $760 a month and median income is $80,577, so rent is 11.3% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro price level is 85.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  2. #2 in Louisiana · National #2

    Raceland

    Rent share 12.5% · Price level 85.1 · Score 0.114

    Median rent is $629 a month and median income is $60,286, so rent is 12.5% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro price level is 85.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  3. #3 in Louisiana · National #3

    Broussard

    Rent share 10.4% · Price level 87.2 · Score 0.120

    Median rent is $1,010 a month and median income is $116,179, so rent is 10.4% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Lafayette, LA metro price level is 87.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  4. #4 in Louisiana · National #6

    Cut Off

    Rent share 14.6% · Price level 85.1 · Score 0.126

    Median rent is $828 a month and median income is $67,941, so rent is 14.6% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro price level is 85.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  5. #5 in Louisiana · National #12

    Youngsville

    Rent share 14.5% · Price level 87.2 · Score 0.137

    Median rent is $1,278 a month and median income is $105,876, so rent is 14.5% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Lafayette, LA metro price level is 87.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  6. #6 in Louisiana · National #19

    Shenandoah

    Rent share 13.5% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.151

    Median rent is $1,201 a month and median income is $107,021, so rent is 13.5% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  7. #7 in Louisiana · National #20

    Addis

    Rent share 14.1% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.152

    Median rent is $1,273 a month and median income is $108,041, so rent is 14.1% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  8. #8 in Louisiana · National #25

    Plaquemine

    Rent share 15.2% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.158

    Median rent is $880 a month and median income is $69,366, so rent is 15.2% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  9. #9 in Louisiana · National #32

    Walker

    Rent share 15.3% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.162

    Median rent is $1,028 a month and median income is $80,707, so rent is 15.3% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  10. #10 in Louisiana · National #37

    Prairieville

    Rent share 15.1% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.164

    Median rent is $1,324 a month and median income is $104,923, so rent is 15.1% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  11. #11 in Louisiana · National #41

    St. Rose

    Rent share 13.9% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.166

    Median rent is $856 a month and median income is $74,075, so rent is 13.9% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  12. #12 in Louisiana · National #46

    Moss Bluff

    Rent share 17.3% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.167

    Median rent is $1,324 a month and median income is $92,036, so rent is 17.3% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Lake Charles, LA metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  13. #13 in Louisiana · National #60

    Lacombe

    Rent share 14.6% · Price level 92.7 · Score 0.172

    Median rent is $886 a month and median income is $72,813, so rent is 14.6% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro price level is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  14. #14 in Louisiana · National #61

    Bayou Cane

    Rent share 17.8% · Price level 85.1 · Score 0.172

    Median rent is $1,101 a month and median income is $74,350, so rent is 17.8% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro price level is 85.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  15. #15 in Louisiana · National #63

    Schriever

    Rent share 17.8% · Price level 85.1 · Score 0.173

    Median rent is $990 a month and median income is $66,571, so rent is 17.8% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro price level is 85.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  16. #16 in Louisiana · National #68

    St. Gabriel

    Rent share 16.3% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.176

    Median rent is $1,017 a month and median income is $74,688, so rent is 16.3% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  17. #17 in Louisiana · National #71

    Ponchatoula

    Rent share 17.9% · Price level 84.5 · Score 0.178

    Median rent is $762 a month and median income is $51,161, so rent is 17.9% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Hammond, LA metro price level is 84.5 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  18. #18 in Louisiana · National #74

    Prien

    Rent share 17.8% · Price level 85.9 · Score 0.179

    Median rent is $1,292 a month and median income is $87,292, so rent is 17.8% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Lake Charles, LA metro price level is 85.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  19. #19 in Louisiana · National #82

    Carencro

    Rent share 17.9% · Price level 87.2 · Score 0.182

    Median rent is $944 a month and median income is $63,401, so rent is 17.9% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Lafayette, LA metro price level is 87.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  20. #20 in Louisiana · National #88

    Denham Springs

    Rent share 17.0% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.184

    Median rent is $1,014 a month and median income is $71,569, so rent is 17.0% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  21. #21 in Louisiana · National #100

    Belle Chasse

    Rent share 15.5% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.187

    Median rent is $1,485 a month and median income is $115,012, so rent is 15.5% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  22. #22 in Louisiana · National #117

    Chackbay

    Rent share 18.8% · Price level 85.1 · Score 0.194

    Median rent is $1,036 a month and median income is $65,968, so rent is 18.8% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA metro price level is 85.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  23. #23 in Louisiana · National #118

    Meraux

    Rent share 16.7% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.194

    Median rent is $1,055 a month and median income is $76,021, so rent is 16.7% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  24. #24 in Louisiana · National #129

    River Ridge

    Rent share 16.0% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.196

    Median rent is $1,127 a month and median income is $84,336, so rent is 16.0% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  25. #25 in Louisiana · National #138

    Old Jefferson

    Rent share 17.7% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.199

    Median rent is $1,357 a month and median income is $92,075, so rent is 17.7% of income, under the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

Least affordable 10

  1. #101 in Louisiana · National #2127

    Gretna

    Rent share 29.5% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.380

    Median rent is $1,060 a month and median income is $43,110, so rent is 29.5% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  2. #100 in Louisiana · National #2114

    Donaldsonville

    Rent share 42.0% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.380

    Median rent is $827 a month and median income is $23,618, so rent is 42.0% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  3. #99 in Louisiana · National #1962

    Ruston

    Rent share 31.5% · Price level 88.2 · Score 0.368

    Median rent is $816 a month and median income is $31,120, so rent is 31.5% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Louisiana state price level is 88.2 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  4. #98 in Louisiana · National #1929

    Marrero

    Rent share 30.2% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.365

    Median rent is $1,042 a month and median income is $41,402, so rent is 30.2% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  5. #97 in Louisiana · National #1917

    New Orleans

    Rent share 26.5% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.364

    Median rent is $1,251 a month and median income is $56,631, so rent is 26.5% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  6. #96 in Louisiana · National #1903

    Harvey

    Rent share 29.3% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.363

    Median rent is $1,190 a month and median income is $48,774, so rent is 29.3% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  7. #95 in Louisiana · National #1811

    Reserve

    Rent share 29.9% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.358

    Median rent is $1,381 a month and median income is $55,450, so rent is 29.9% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  8. #94 in Louisiana · National #1743

    Merrydale

    Rent share 37.9% · Price level 90.8 · Score 0.353

    Median rent is $1,311 a month and median income is $41,500, so rent is 37.9% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The Baton Rouge, LA metro price level is 90.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  9. #93 in Louisiana · National #1710

    Westwego

    Rent share 27.2% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.351

    Median rent is $1,049 a month and median income is $46,261, so rent is 27.2% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  10. #92 in Louisiana · National #1691

    Terrytown

    Rent share 26.3% · Price level 92.6 · Score 0.349

    Median rent is $1,135 a month and median income is $51,718, so rent is 26.3% of income, over the 21.9% median for ranked towns in Louisiana. The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro price level is 92.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 12.72 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $3.954 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is electricity price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

The formula

A lower score is more affordable. Rent share, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity each count 22.5%. Gasoline counts 10%. Those weights are our choice. Gasoline stays at 10% because the miles figure is one national standard, not a measured town commute. This is not a government standard.

A percentile is the share of ranked towns with a strictly lower number, divided by the number of ranked towns minus one. The lowest number scores 0. Tied numbers share a percentile.

  1. Rent share = (median monthly rent × 12) / median household income. Both figures are the Census 2020–2024 medians for that place.
  2. RPP-adjusted cost is the BEA 2024 all-items regional price parity. A basket priced at 100 for the U.S. average costs this many dollars in the town's area. We use the metro index when the county is in a metro BEA publishes. Otherwise we use the state index and say so. This index includes housing, so housing also shows up in the rent share.
  3. Tax burden is the average of three percentiles. Income-tax share is state income tax plus the stored 2023 local AGI add-on, divided by the town's median household income, on a joint return. Property share is the state's median effective property-tax rate times the town's median home value, divided by income. Sales rate is the combined state and average local sales-tax rate. We do not turn the sales rate into dollars, because that would require a shopping basket we do not have.
  4. Electricity is the state residential price in cents per kilowatt-hour. Every town in a state shares it. We do not guess how many kilowatt-hours a home uses.
  5. Gasoline is the EIA retail price for all grades and all formulations, in dollars per gallon. Where EIA publishes a state series, we use that state. Every other state uses the PADD region EIA assigns to it. Census does not publish commuting miles for these towns, so annual gas spend is 12,000 miles a year divided by 25 miles per gallon, times the price. That is 480 gallons, the same for every town. Those miles are our standard, not an ACS figure and not a government mileage rule. Because the gallons do not change, the gas percentile is the percentile of the price.

    Weekly prices are for the week of October 12, 2026, from the EIA workbook released October 14, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/xls/pswrgvwall.xls. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon use West Coast (PADD 5) Except California. That series is not in the weekly workbook, so those five use the monthly price dated September 15, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_a_epm0_pte_dpgal_m.htm.

    • State series, week of October 12, 2026: California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington.
    • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), week of October 12, 2026: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
    • Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of October 12, 2026: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico.
    • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C), week of October 12, 2026: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.
    • Midwest (PADD 2), week of October 12, 2026: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
    • New England (PADD 1A), week of October 12, 2026: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
    • Rocky Mountain (PADD 4), week of October 12, 2026: Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming.
    • West Coast (PADD 5) Except California, September 15, 2026: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon.

Score = 0.225 × rent percentile + 0.225 × price-level percentile + 0.225 × tax score + 0.225 × electricity percentile + 0.10 × gasoline percentile. Rank 1 is the lowest score. If scores tie, the lower rent share wins, then the lower price level, then the place slug in A-to-Z order.

Questions

What is the most affordable town in Louisiana in this index?

Larose is number 1 of 101 ranked towns in Louisiana. Median rent is 11.3% of median income. Its national rank is 1.

How many towns in Louisiana were ranked?

101 towns in Louisiana have at least 5,000 people and published Census rent, income, and home value. Places missing one of those figures are left out.

Does this ranking approve benefits in Louisiana?

No. Cost & Benefits does not approve or deny benefits. The score is a cost comparison only.