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Alexandria, LA

Cost of living in Rapides Parish, LA

Part of the Alexandria Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,653/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 128,470 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $762 29%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $444 17%
Transport $320 12%
Groceries $315 12%
Energy $186 7%
State tax $91 3%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Rapides Parish

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$710
per month
1 bedroom
$762
per month
2 bedroom
$1,000
per month
3 bedroom
$1,354
per month
4 bedroom
$1,513
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Rapides Parish

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$55,946
per year
Individual earnings
$37,211
per year
Per capita
$31,688
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Rapides Parish

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$179,100
Annual property tax
$1,024

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Rapides Parish

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 Rapides Parish

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.9%

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 Rapides Parish

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 Rapides Parish

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.6 min
Drive alone
79.8%
Public transit
2.2%
Work from home
4.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Rapides Parish

What it costs to live in Rapides Parish each month.

Single person
$2,653
per month
  • Rent $762
  • Energy $186
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $444
  • State tax $91
Couple
$3,829
per month
  • Rent $1,000
  • Energy $223
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $585
  • State tax $150
Family
$6,305
per month
  • Rent $1,354
  • Energy $279
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $585
  • State tax $150

Frequently asked questions about Rapides Parish

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Rapides Parish?

In Rapides Parish, LA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $762 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,000 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,354 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Rapides Parish?

In Rapides Parish, LA, the average household income is $55,946 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $37,211 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Rapides Parish?

The estimated cost of living in Rapides Parish, LA is approximately $2,653 per month for a single person, $3,829 for a couple, $6,305 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Rapides Parish?

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

Is Rapides Parish an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Rapides Parish, LA would need approximately $2,653 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $55,946 per year ($4,662 per month). Rapides Parish has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Rapides Parish?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Rapides Parish, LA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Rapides Parish?

The average home value in Rapides Parish, LA is $179,100, with average annual property taxes of $1,024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Rapides Parish compare to other areas?

You can compare Rapides Parish, LA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Rapides Parish is in the Alexandria, 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 Rapides Parish 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