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New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Cost of living in New Orleans, Louisiana

Orleans Parish, LA

Part of the New Orleans Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,093/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 376,035 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,236 40%
Healthcare $480 16%
Federal tax $474 15%
Groceries $315 10%
Transport $250 8%
Energy $186 6%
State tax $97 3%
Water $55 2%

Rent in New Orleans

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,071
per month
1 bedroom
$1,236
per month
2 bedroom
$1,478
per month
3 bedroom
$1,889
per month
4 bedroom
$2,217
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in New Orleans

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$55,339
per year
Individual earnings
$39,038
per year
Per capita
$39,698
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in New Orleans

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$296,400
Annual property tax
$2,428

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in New Orleans

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$152
per month · 12.7¢/kWh
Natural gas
$34
per month
Annual total
$2,232
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in New Orleans

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.4%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in New Orleans

State and local tax rates for Louisiana.

State income tax
4.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.5%
Combined sales tax
9.6%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in New Orleans

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.7 min
Drive alone
63.2%
Public transit
4.5%
Work from home
13.7%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for New Orleans

What it costs to live in New Orleans each month.

Single person
$3,093
per month
  • Rent $1,236
  • Energy $186
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $474
  • State tax $97
Couple
$4,226
per month
  • Rent $1,478
  • Energy $223
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $576
  • State tax $148
Family
$6,759
per month
  • Rent $1,889
  • Energy $279
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $576
  • State tax $148

Frequently asked questions about New Orleans

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in New Orleans?

In New Orleans, Louisiana, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,236 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,478 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,889 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in New Orleans?

In New Orleans, Louisiana, the average household income is $55,339 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,038 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in New Orleans?

The estimated cost of living in New Orleans, Louisiana is approximately $3,093 per month for a single person, $4,226 for a couple, $6,759 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in New Orleans?

The combined sales tax rate in New Orleans, Louisiana is 9.55%, which includes the Louisiana state rate of 4.45% plus an average local rate of 5.10%.

Is New Orleans an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in New Orleans, Louisiana would need approximately $3,093 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $55,339 per year ($4,612 per month). New Orleans has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in New Orleans?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in New Orleans, Louisiana is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.4% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in New Orleans?

The average home value in New Orleans, Louisiana is $296,400, with average annual property taxes of $2,428, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does New Orleans compare to other areas?

You can compare New Orleans, Louisiana with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. New Orleans is in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area.

Other counties in Louisiana

Browse the full list of counties in Louisiana, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Louisiana

Compare New Orleans with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources