What is New Orleans's cost-of-living index?

New Orleans has a composite cost-of-living index of about 97, just below the US national average of 100. That means overall living costs run roughly 3% under the national average, driven mainly by below-average housing.

How does New Orleans compare on housing?

Housing is the biggest driver, with an index around 94 — about 6% below the national average. Renters and buyers generally pay less for shelter in New Orleans than in higher-cost coastal metros.

Which categories are more expensive in New Orleans?

Transportation runs slightly above the national average at an index near 102, and utilities sit close to par at 99. Hot, humid summers push cooling costs, so utilities can spike seasonally.

How do I convert my salary to a New Orleans equivalent?

Enter your current budget and your current city's index. The tool multiplies your budget by the ratio of the New Orleans index to your city's index, showing the equivalent amount needed to maintain the same lifestyle.

Do these figures include income tax?

No. The indices reflect everyday living costs, not taxes. Louisiana has a state income tax, so factor that in separately when comparing take-home pay across states.

New Orleans Cost-of-Living Index

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New Orleans is a relatively affordable major US city, with a composite cost-of-living index of about 97 against the national benchmark of 100. Below-average housing pulls the overall figure down, while transportation and utilities sit at or slightly above par. This free tool benchmarks the city across five spending categories and converts any budget into its New Orleans equivalent.

How it works

The US national average is fixed at 100. New Orleans’s composite index of 97 means living costs run about 3% below average. To convert a budget from another city, the tool applies:

new_orleans_equivalent = current_budget * (97 / your_city_index)

Each category — housing (94), groceries (97), transportation (102), utilities (99), and healthcare (92) — is converted the same way using its own index, so you can see exactly where New Orleans saves or costs you more.

Notes and example

If you spend $4,000/month in a city at index 100, the New Orleans equivalent is about $3,880 — roughly 3% less. Someone relocating from a pricey index-130 metro would see costs drop sharply. Indices are representative planning figures and exclude income tax; verify current local prices before a move. Everything runs in your browser.