Cost of Living in Orleans Parish, Louisiana

$1,211/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$296,400

Median Home Value

39% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$1,211/mo

39% above state average

Median Home Value

$296,400

5% above national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

35.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Orleans Parish Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Orleans Parish$1,211/mo

Louisiana Average$873/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$1,211/mo

Median Gross Rent

$296,400

Median Home Value

$1,404/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

35.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Orleans Parish, Louisiana

New Orleans housing demands top earners

Orleans Parish renters face a punishing 26.3% rent-to-income ratio—well above national norms—spending $1,211 monthly on a median income of $55,339. While this income slightly exceeds most Louisiana parishes, the rent burden rivals or exceeds costs in major U.S. metros.

Louisiana's most expensive housing market

Orleans Parish's 26.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Louisiana's worst, demanding renters dedicate over a quarter of earnings to housing. The parish's $1,211 median rent vastly exceeds the state average of $873, making New Orleans the state's priciest rental market.

Orleans dominates surrounding parishes

Orleans Parish renters pay $1,211 monthly—nearly double the rent in rural neighbors like Pointe Coupee ($794)—creating a stark urban-rural divide. Even Plaquemines Parish, despite higher incomes, charges just $1,611 for homeownership versus Orleans's $1,404 owner costs.

Urban pricing in full effect

Renters allocate $1,211 monthly and homeowners $1,404, consuming 26.3% and more of the $55,339 median household income combined. Median home values of $296,400 place New Orleans housing solidly in six figures—the state's highest.

New Orleans: prepare for big-city costs

Orleans Parish demands urban-level incomes for sustainable housing; renters here spend more than a quarter of earnings on rent—similar to costly U.S. metros. If New Orleans calls, budget aggressively for housing or seek neighborhoods and surrounding parishes that offer relief from the city center's premium pricing.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Orleans Parish

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

26.3%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,291

per month

Owner Cost Burden

30.4%

of gross income

The median home in Orleans Parish may be a stretch

Median home value is $296,400. Estimated monthly cost: $2,366 vs. your max of $1,291.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio26.3%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Orleans Parish, Louisiana?

Orleans Parish, Louisiana has a median monthly rent of $1,211/mo and a median home value of $296,400. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 35.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Orleans Parish?

The median gross rent in Orleans Parish is $1,211/mo. This is 39% above state average for Louisiana.

Is Orleans Parish affordable?

Orleans Parish is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 35.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Orleans Parish's rent compare to the state average?

Orleans Parish's median rent of $1,211/mo is 39% above state average of $873/mo for Louisiana.

What is the median home value in Orleans Parish?

The median home value in Orleans Parish, Louisiana is $296,400. This is 5% above the national median home value of $281,900.