Cost of living index
New Orleans, LA
92.6 / 100
Living in New Orleans, LA is 7.4% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
92.6
Housing / rent
86
vs US average
−7.4%
What it costs to live in New Orleans, LA
New Orleans, LA has an overall price level of 92.6 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 7.4% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 86 it is 14.0% below the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is New Orleans, LA an expensive place to live?
New Orleans, LA has an overall cost-of-living index of 92.6, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 7.4% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in New Orleans, LA?
Housing in New Orleans, LA scores 86 against a US average of 100 — roughly 14.0% below average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does New Orleans, LA compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in New Orleans, LA sit at 92.6 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 86. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.