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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in New Orleans: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA April–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

7.4% below

Cost of living in New Orleans is 7.4% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area (index 92.6; U.S. = 100). Median rent in New Orleans is $1,310 a month.

Cost of living in New Orleans by category

Overall prices

92.6U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−7.4% vs. U.S.

Goods
93.7 −6.3%
Housing (rents)
86.0 −14.0%
Utilities
71.2 −28.8%
Other services
95.7 −4.3%

BEA 2024 · New Orleans metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,310/mo

Median gross rent

−12% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,125 −14% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,346 −10% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,624 −3% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$305,100 −15% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,332 +15% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$156/mo

Average electric bill

About the same as U.S.

Electricity price
12.7¢/kWh −31% vs. U.S.
Natural gas
$25.19/Mcf −5% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
71.2

EIA July 2026 · Louisiana statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

22.2min

Mean travel time to work

−18% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
64.5%
Work from home
12.5%
Gasoline (PADD 3 avg.)
$3.86/gal −11% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$152/wk

Center care, infant

−13% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$145/wk −6% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$140/wk About the same as U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$133/wk −7% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Orleans Parish Details: Child care

Income

$58,821/yr

Median household income

−28% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
27%
Home value to income
5.2×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in New Orleans

Median gross rent in New Orleans is $1,310 a month, 12% below the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,250–$1,499 range, which holds 16.8% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 37.3% pay $1,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $305,100, and 5.3% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: New Orleans vs. Louisiana vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent New Orleans: $1,310; Louisiana: $1,064; U.S.: $1,487 New Orleans $1,310 Louisiana $1,064 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs New Orleans: $2,332; Louisiana: $1,650; U.S.: $2,035 New Orleans $2,332 Louisiana $1,650 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value New Orleans: $305,100; Louisiana: $223,200; U.S.: $360,600 New Orleans $305,100 Louisiana $223,200 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureNew OrleansLouisianaU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,310$1,064$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,332$1,650$2,035
Median home value$305,100$223,200$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in New Orleans

What renters pay in New Orleans Share of renter households paying cash rent in New Orleans by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 9%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 1.5%. Median $1,310. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 9% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 6.3% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 10.2% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 20.5% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 16.8% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 23.7% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 9% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 2.1% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 1.5% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,310 (New Orleans) 23.7%
Show the data table
RangeNew OrleansU.S.
Less than $5009%6.1%
$500–$7496.3%6.8%
$750–$99910.2%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24920.5%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49916.8%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99923.7%22.2%
$2,000–$2,4999%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9992.1%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4991%3.2%
$3,500 or more1.5%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in New Orleans

Home values in New Orleans Share of owner-occupied homes in New Orleans by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 5.6%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 2.8%. Median $305,100. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $100,000: 5.6% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 6.7% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 12.9% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 11.1% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 13% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 13.5% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 11.2% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 13.8% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 7% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 2.5% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $305,100 (New Orleans) 13.8%
Show the data table
RangeNew OrleansU.S.
Less than $100,0005.6%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9996.7%5.7%
$150,000–$199,99912.9%7.5%
$200,000–$249,99911.1%8.4%
$250,000–$299,99913%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99913.5%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99911.2%12%
$500,000–$749,99913.8%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9997%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9992.5%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more2.8%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in New Orleans

Measure New Orleans Louisiana U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,310$1,064$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,125$932$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,346$1,041$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,624$1,219$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,332$1,650$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is New Orleans?

At the median, rent takes about 27% of household income in New Orleans. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $52,400 a year.

The median home is worth $305,100, or 5.2 times the median household income.

Household income in New Orleans

The median household in New Orleans earns $58,821 a year, 28% below the U.S. median of $81,604. About 11.4% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 24.8% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: New Orleans vs. Louisiana vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) New Orleans: $58,821; Louisiana: $60,986; U.S.: $81,604 New Orleans $58,821 Louisiana $60,986 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureNew OrleansLouisianaU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$58,821$60,986$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in New Orleans

Household income distribution in New Orleans Share of households in New Orleans by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 8.7%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 11.4%. Median $58,821. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 8.7% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 6.4% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 4.3% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 5.4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 3.5% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 4.1% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 3.7% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 3.1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 7.5% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 8.9% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 10.1% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 8.6% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 5% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 5.2% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 11.4% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $58,821 (New Orleans) 11.4%
Show the data table
RangeNew OrleansU.S.
Less than $10,0008.7%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9996.4%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9994.3%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9995.4%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9993.5%3%
$30,000–$34,9994.1%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9994%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9993.7%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9993.1%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9997.5%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9998.9%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99910.1%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9998.6%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9995%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9995.2%9.7%
$200,000 or more11.4%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure New Orleans Louisiana U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $58,821$60,986$81,604
Median home value $305,100$223,200$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area scored 92.6 for all items. The highest category is other services at 95.7; the lowest is utilities at 71.2.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items New Orleans metro area: 92.6; Louisiana: 88.2; U.S.: 100.0 New Orleans metro area 92.6 Louisiana 88.2 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods New Orleans metro area: 93.7; Louisiana: 93.7; U.S.: 99.6 New Orleans metro area 93.7 Louisiana 93.7 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) New Orleans metro area: 86.0; Louisiana: 63.1; U.S.: 100.6 New Orleans metro area 86.0 Louisiana 63.1 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities New Orleans metro area: 71.2; Louisiana: 71.5; U.S.: 98.4 New Orleans metro area 71.2 Louisiana 71.5 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services New Orleans metro area: 95.7; Louisiana: 95.7; U.S.: 100.1 New Orleans metro area 95.7 Louisiana 95.7 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureNew Orleans metro areaLouisianaU.S.
All items92.688.2100.0
Goods93.793.799.6
Housing (rents)86.063.1100.6
Utilities71.271.598.4
Other services95.795.7100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: New Orleans-Metairie, LA. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Louisiana paid an average of 12.7¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $156 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $25.19 per thousand cubic feet in April 2026 (U.S.: $26.45).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Louisiana averages rather than figures for New Orleans alone.

Energy prices: Louisiana vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Louisiana: 12.7¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Louisiana 12.7¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Louisiana: $156; U.S.: $157 Louisiana $156 U.S. $157

Natural gas ($/Mcf)

Natural gas ($/Mcf) Louisiana: $25.19; U.S.: $26.45 Louisiana $25.19 U.S. $26.45
Show the data table
MeasureLouisianaU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)12.7¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$156$157
Natural gas ($/Mcf)$25.19$26.45

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill is a 12-month average. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in New Orleans who commute spend an average of 22.2 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (64.5% of workers); 12.5% work from home. Gasoline in the Gulf Coast region (PADD 3), which includes Louisiana, averaged $3.86 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate Louisiana price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work New Orleans: Drove alone 64.5%, Carpooled 9.4%, Public transit 4.1%, Walked 6.1%, Bicycle 1.4%, Worked from home 12.5%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 2.1%. Louisiana: Drove alone 78.3%, Carpooled 9.3%, Public transit 0.9%, Walked 1.7%, Bicycle 0.4%, Worked from home 8%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.5%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in New Orleans: Drove alone. New Orleans New Orleans · Drove alone: 64.5% 64.5% New Orleans · Carpooled: 9.4% New Orleans · Public transit: 4.1% New Orleans · Walked: 6.1% New Orleans · Bicycle: 1.4% New Orleans · Worked from home: 12.5% 12.5% New Orleans · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 2.1% Louisiana Louisiana · Drove alone: 78.3% 78.3% Louisiana · Carpooled: 9.3% Louisiana · Public transit: 0.9% Louisiana · Walked: 1.7% Louisiana · Bicycle: 0.4% Louisiana · Worked from home: 8% Louisiana · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.5% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationNew OrleansLouisianaU.S.
Drove alone64.5%78.3%69.2%
Carpooled9.4%9.3%9.2%
Public transit4.1%0.9%3.7%
Walked6.1%1.7%2.4%
Bicycle1.4%0.4%0.5%
Worked from home12.5%8%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)2.1%1.5%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in New Orleans

Travel time to work in New Orleans Share of workers who do not work from home in New Orleans by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 2.8%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 0.9%. Mean 22.2 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than 5 min: 2.8% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 9.3% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 13.7% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 18.9% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 20.9% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 6.6% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 15.2% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 1.5% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 1.8% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 4.3% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 4.2% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 0.9% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 22.2 min (New Orleans) 20.9%
Show the data table
RangeNew OrleansU.S.
Less than 5 min2.8%2.8%
5–9 min9.3%9.4%
10–14 min13.7%13.1%
15–19 min18.9%15%
20–24 min20.9%14.1%
25–29 min6.6%7%
30–34 min15.2%13.7%
35–39 min1.5%3.4%
40–44 min1.8%4.1%
45–59 min4.3%8.3%
60–89 min4.2%6.3%
90 min or more0.9%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in New Orleans

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $152 a week in Orleans Parish, or $7,887 over 52 weeks. That is 13% below the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Orleans Parish Louisiana (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $152$143$174
Center-based care, toddler $145$140$153
Center-based care, preschool $140$137$144
Center-based care, school-age $128$126$120
Home-based family care, infant $133$133$143
Home-based family care, toddler $133$133$132
Home-based family care, preschool $133$133$131
Home-based family care, school-age $115$115$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than New Orleans prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in New Orleans?

Median rent is $1,125 for a one-bedroom and $1,346 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in New Orleans?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 25.5% pay less than $1,000 a month, 61% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 13.6% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in New Orleans?

To keep the median rent of $1,310 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $52,400 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is New Orleans more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area at 92.6 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 7.4% below average. Housing rents score 86.0.

How long is the average commute in New Orleans?

22.2 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in New Orleans?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $152 a week in Orleans Parish in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.