The 70611 zip code in Lake Charles tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Louisiana.
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Top 10 most affordable places to live in Louisiana
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Charles 🥇 | 100.0 | $250,410 | $930 |
| 2 | Shreveport 🥈 | 98.8 | $121,307 | $992 |
| 3 | Deridder 🥉 | 98.8 | $177,304 | $1,005 |
| 4 | West Monroe | 97.9 | $146,253 | $875 |
| 5 | Lafayette | 95.3 | $279,952 | $1,274 |
| 6 | Broussard | 95.2 | $283,462 | $1,505 |
| 7 | Alexandria | 95.0 | $107,677 | $849 |
| 8 | Pineville | 94.5 | $193,654 | $974 |
| 9 | Houma | 94.3 | $263,198 | $1,334 |
| 10 | Slidell | 92.5 | $265,313 | $1,462 |
What these affordable cities and towns have in common
The 10 zip codes we ranked share a common trait: a low cost of living relative to the Louisiana median.
Median home values, rental costs, and property taxes generally sit below the state averages, while household incomes remain strong enough to keep home affordability ratios manageable. Below, we look at each market in detail.
1. Lake Charles
Here's why the 70611 zip code in Lake Charles is Louisiana's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Lake Charles
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $250,410[1] | No. 97 | $24,312 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.5 | No. 13 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 10.4%[2] | No. 96 | 6.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -4.1%[3] | No. 27 | -1.0% |
| Rental costs | $930[4] | No. 5 | -$496 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 0.91% | No. 1 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $101,844[5] | No. 7 | $36,915 |
| Property taxes | $1,587[6] | No. 96 | $176 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[7] | No. 136 | $0.02 |
Lake Charles's 70611 zip code is the cheapest place to live in Louisiana, leading the 142 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $250,410, making it the 97th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -4.1% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $930 per month, which is the 1st cheapest amount in Louisiana.
The median property tax for homeowners in Lake Charles is $1,587 per household, the No. 96 ranked market in Louisiana.
Residents pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 136 among Louisiana markets.
📈 Thinking about buying in Louisiana? See our complete housing market outlook for the data, trends, and timing insights Louisiana buyers need to know.
2. Shreveport
The 71104 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in Louisiana.
🔎 Key data about Shreveport
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.8 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $121,307[1] | No. 20 | -$104,791 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.1 | No. 8 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 3.5%[2] | No. 11 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.9%[3] | No. 83 | 0.2% |
| Rental costs | $992[4] | No. 7 | -$434 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.74% | No. 20 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $56,833[5] | No. 79 | -$8,096 |
| Property taxes | $1,053[6] | No. 67 | -$358 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[7] | No. 132 | $0.01 |
Shreveport's 71104 zip code has a median home value of $121,307, which is the 20th-cheapest housing market in Louisiana. You can rent for an average of $992 per month. That's the 7th-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $56,833, which ranks 79th-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Shreveport pay a median property tax of $1,053 per year, making it the 67th-most affordable market in Louisiana.
Shreveport ranks No. 132 among Louisiana energy markets. You'll pay $0.13 per kWh of electricity.
3. Deridder
The 3rd-least-expensive place to live in Louisiana is Deridder's 70634 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Deridder
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 98.8 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $177,304[1] | No. 48 | -$48,794 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.8 | No. 34 | -0.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 3.5%[2] | No. 11 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -5.4%[3] | No. 8 | -2.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,005[4] | No. 9 | -$421 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.60% | No. 12 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $62,940[5] | No. 61 | -$1,989 |
| Property taxes | $520[6] | No. 29 | -$891 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[7] | No. 129 | $0.01 |
The No. 48 cheapest housing market in Louisiana is Deridder's 70634 zip code, with a median home value of $177,304. Rents in the market average $1,005 per month, making it the 9th-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Deridder is $520, which makes it the 29th-cheapest place in Louisiana. Deridder ranks No. 129 among Louisiana markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.13 per kWh of electricity.
4. West Monroe
The 71292 zip code in West Monroe comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in Louisiana.
🔎 Key data about West Monroe
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 97.9 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $146,253[1] | No. 31 | -$79,845 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.8 | No. 36 | -0.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 3.5%[2] | No. 11 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.1%[3] | No. 109 | 1.0% |
| Rental costs | $875[4] | No. 3 | -$551 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.70% | No. 19 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $51,355[5] | No. 98 | -$13,574 |
| Property taxes | $633[6] | No. 40 | -$778 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 31 | $0.00 |
The No. 31 cheapest housing market in Louisiana is West Monroe's 71292 zip code, where the median home value is $146,253. Renters here pay an average of $875 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, West Monroe ranks 31st among Louisiana markets. Residents pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $633, which makes it the 40th-cheapest market in Louisiana.
5. Lafayette
The 70503 zip code in Lafayette ranks No. 5 among Louisiana's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Lafayette
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 95.3 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $279,952[1] | No. 111 | $53,853 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.0 | No. 43 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 10.8%[2] | No. 97 | 7.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.7%[3] | No. 94 | 0.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,274[4] | No. 26 | -$151 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.35% | No. 3 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $94,688[5] | No. 11 | $29,759 |
| Property taxes | $2,161[6] | No. 125 | $750 |
| Energy costs | $0.11 kWh[7] | No. 2 | -$0.01 |
Lafayette's 70503 zip code has a median home value of $279,952, the 111th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -2.7% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in Lafayette is $2,161. It's the 125th-cheapest market by tax rate in Louisiana.
6. Broussard
The No. 6 most affordable city in Louisiana is the 70518 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Broussard
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 95.2 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $283,462[1] | No. 115 | $57,363 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.7 | No. 23 | -0.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 17.7%[2] | No. 123 | 14.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.5%[3] | No. 100 | 0.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,505[4] | No. 111 | $79 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.41% | No. 4 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $106,710[5] | No. 4 | $41,781 |
| Property taxes | $1,592[6] | No. 97 | $181 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 67 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Broussard's 70518 zip code, which has the 115th-cheapest home values in Louisiana. The median home value is $283,462. Rents average $1,505 per month, making it the 111th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity. It's the 67th-cheapest energy market.
7. Alexandria
Alexandria's 71301 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in Louisiana.
🔎 Key data about Alexandria
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 95.0 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $107,677[1] | No. 15 | -$118,422 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.5 | No. 17 | -1.0 |
| Home value five-year change | 3.5%[2] | No. 11 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.6%[3] | No. 49 | -0.5% |
| Rental costs | $849[4] | No. 2 | -$577 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.97% | No. 37 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $43,098[5] | No. 123 | -$21,831 |
| Property taxes | $543[6] | No. 33 | -$868 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 102 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 15th-cheapest home values in Louisiana in Alexandria's 71301 zip code. The median value: $107,677. Renters in Alexandria pay an average of $849 per month.
Homeowners in Alexandria pay a median property tax of $543 per year, which is Louisiana's 33rd-most affordable market.
The average household income is $43,098, which ranks 123rd-highest in the state.
8. Pineville
The 8th-least-expensive place to live in Louisiana is Pineville's 71360 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Pineville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 94.5 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $193,654[1] | No. 59 | -$32,445 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.2 | No. 61 | -0.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 6.3%[2] | No. 84 | 2.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -2.8%[3] | No. 88 | 0.3% |
| Rental costs | $974[4] | No. 6 | -$452 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.61% | No. 14 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $60,527[5] | No. 70 | -$4,402 |
| Property taxes | $1,203[6] | No. 81 | -$208 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 102 | $0.00 |
The 59th-cheapest housing market in Louisiana is Pineville's 71360 zip code, with a median home value of $193,654. Renters pay an average of $974 per month, the No. 6 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Pineville is $1,203, which makes it the 81st-cheapest place in Louisiana. The average household income of $60,527 ranks 70th.
9. Houma
Houma's 70360 zip code is one of Louisiana's most affordable towns, sneaking into the top ten of our rankings.
🔎 Key data about Houma
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 94.3 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $263,198[1] | No. 104 | $37,099 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.1 | No. 55 | -0.4 |
| Home value five-year change | 9.7%[2] | No. 94 | 6.2% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -5.7%[3] | No. 7 | -2.6% |
| Rental costs | $1,334[4] | No. 35 | -$92 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.57% | No. 8 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $84,890[5] | No. 24 | $19,961 |
| Property taxes | $1,379[6] | No. 88 | -$32 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 49 | $0.00 |
The 104th-cheapest housing market in Louisiana is Houma's 70360 zip code, where the median home value is $263,198. Renters pay an average of $1,334 per month. It's the state's 35th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $1,379, which makes it the 88th-cheapest property tax rate in Louisiana.
10. Slidell
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in Louisiana goes to the 70461 zip code in Slidell.
🔎 Key data about Slidell
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 142 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 92.5 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $265,313[1] | No. 106 | $39,214 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.0 | No. 46 | -0.5 |
| Home value five-year change | 8.1%[2] | No. 89 | 4.6% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.1%[3] | No. 73 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,462[4] | No. 106 | $37 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.64% | No. 15 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $89,003[5] | No. 19 | $24,074 |
| Property taxes | $1,917[6] | No. 118 | $506 |
| Energy costs | $0.12 kWh[7] | No. 88 | $0.00 |
Rounding out our top 10 is Slidell's 70461 zip code, with the 106th-cheapest home values in Louisiana.
The median home value is $265,313. Rent in the market costs $1,462 per month on average.
The median property tax for households in Slidell is $1,917, which is the 118th-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Slidell ranks No. 88 among Louisiana markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.12 per kWh of electricity.
Frequently asked questions about the least expensive places to live in Louisiana
Based on Clever's Affordability Score, the 70611 zip code in Lake Charles is the cheapest place to live in Louisiana.
The median home value is $250,410, and the median household income is $101,844, giving Lake Charles a home affordability ratio of 2.5, meaning a typical home costs about that many times the median annual income.
See our Affordability Score methodology and the full ranking of the 10 cheapest places to live in Louisiana.
The median home value in Louisiana is $226,098.
See the rankings above for how individual cities compare to these state-wide figures.
Louisiana is currently a mild buyer's market, according to Clever's Market Heat Index.
The index reflects the balance between buyer demand and seller supply, which affects how much negotiating power buyers and sellers have in any given market.
Markets also vary by city, county, and neighborhood. It's always good to check with a local real estate agent to understand the dynamics of a given local market.
The median amount homeowners pay in property taxes in Louisiana is $1,411 per year.
Property taxes are a key part of the overall cost of living, and they vary significantly by location. The per-city tax figures in the rankings above show how each of the 10 cheapest places stacks up against the Louisiana median.
📍 The 10 cheapest places to live in your region
How we ranked the most affordable cities and towns in Louisiana
We evaluated 142 zip codes in Louisiana with a population over 10,000 on home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in Louisiana, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 28.0% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 10.0% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 8.0% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 7.0% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 5.0% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 17.0% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the Louisiana average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the Louisiana average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
Why you should trust us
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Our team is committed to making home purchasing more transparent by educating buyers and sellers through guides like this one. Our writers, editors, and industry-leading researchers strive to provide readers with the most up-to-date, accurate, and useful information.
Our research has been featured in The New York Times, Business Insider, Inman, Housing Wire, and many more publications.
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