Cost of Living in New Orleans, LA
| Cost of Living in New Orleans, LA | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 71% higher | 43% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 8% lower | 20% lower |
| Food | 0% | 4% lower |
| Healthcare | 19% higher | 18% higher |
| Transportation | 5% higher | 2% lower |
| Goods & Services | 7% higher | 2% higher |
The cost of living in New Orleans, LA is 22% higher than the state average and 11% higher than the national average. New Orleans, LA housing is 43% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 20% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% more in New Orleans, LA than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 2% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 18% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 2% pricier in New Orleans, LA.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in New Orleans is $1,357, while home prices circle around $664,312.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In New Orleans, energy bills cost around $122.23 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $3.06 in New Orleans, a dozen eggs go for around $2.95 and a pound of potatoes circles around $3.77.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In New Orleans, an optometry check-up costs around $105.91, while a dentist appointment is priced $126.67 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.72 in New Orleans, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $54.66.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $40.25 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $33.88.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in New Orleans, you should budget around $12.83 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $23.00, while dry cleaning costs about $18.50.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In New Orleans, the median household income is $45,594.