Cheapest Places to Live in Louisiana (2026)
Looking for the most affordable cities in Louisiana? We ranked 10 Louisiana cities by median home value. The cheapest is Alexandria (~$100,000); the Louisiana median is $198,000.
Most affordable cities in Louisiana
Ranked by median home value, lowest first:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $100,000 | $103 |
| 2 | Shreveport | $151,000 | $112 |
| 3 | Monroe | $188,000 | $133 |
| 4 | Houma | $189,000 | $124 |
| 5 | Lake Charles | $203,000 | $127 |
| 6 | Lafayette | $213,000 | $134 |
| 7 | Slidell | $221,000 | $144 |
| 8 | New Orleans | $225,000 | $191 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge | $239,000 | $139 |
| 10 | Metairie | $341,000 | $185 |
Most expensive cities in Louisiana
The priciest Louisiana markets by median home value:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metairie | $341,000 | $185 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $239,000 | $139 |
| 3 | New Orleans | $225,000 | $191 |
| 4 | Slidell | $221,000 | $144 |
| 5 | Lafayette | $213,000 | $134 |
| 6 | Lake Charles | $203,000 | $127 |
| 7 | Houma | $189,000 | $124 |
| 8 | Monroe | $188,000 | $133 |
| 9 | Shreveport | $151,000 | $112 |
| 10 | Alexandria | $100,000 | $103 |
How we rank Louisiana cities
Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.
Explore all Louisiana home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.
Louisiana affordability: FAQ
What is the cheapest place to live in Louisiana? +
Based on median home value, Alexandria is among the most affordable cities in Louisiana, with a typical home around $100,000 — well below the Louisiana median of $198,000.
What is the most expensive city in Louisiana? +
By median home value, Metairie is among the priciest in Louisiana, with a typical home around $341,000.
Is Louisiana an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in Louisiana is about $198,000 (31% more affordable than the U.S. median of $289,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $100,000 to $341,000.