A-
6%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
13%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Gretna Louisiana National
Cost of living9491100
Goods & Services10396100
Groceries9695100
Health care11499100
Housing8781100
Transportation9296100
Utilities7884100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Gretna, LA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Gretna? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Gretna stands at 94, making it 6% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

In Gretna, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Gretna will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Gretna Affordable?

Is Gretna an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Gretna, the median home price is 16.1% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 4.2% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Gretna come in at $41,409, which is 25.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Gretna?

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Gretna, healthcare costs are 13.6% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Gretna, the transportation index is 8.1% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Gretna displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Gretna is 4% higher than the Louisiana average
  • The cost of living in Gretna is 6% lower than the national average
  • Gretna housing is 13% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana general sales tax is 13% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana state income tax is 29% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Gretna

See all the best places to live around Gretna

Compare Gretna, LA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$52,159$4,347$1,217$1,565
      Renters$30,450$2,538$710$914
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Gretna, LA, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Gretna, the median monthly income is $52,159 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,217 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $30,450, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $710 on monthly rental expenses.

      Louisiana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Louisiana 4.45% 11.45%

      Louisiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Louisiana 1.85% 4.25%

      Goods & Services

      Item Gretna National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.67$24.2610.7%
      Beauty Salon $43.17$45.565.3%
      Toothpaste $3.57$3.703.6%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.284.5%
      Movie $13.30$12.139.6%
      Bowling $12.33$18.0031.5%

      Groceries

      Item Gretna National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.15$5.845.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.6%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.31$4.937.5%
      Pizza $12.61$12.094.3%
      Beer $10.23$10.411.7%

      Health Care

      Item Gretna National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $128.17$125.682.0%
      Doctor $127.78$135.785.9%
      Dentist $129.44$113.2914.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.46$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $482.03$468.602.9%

      Housing

      Item Gretna National avg. Difference
      Home Price $154,900.00$184,700.0016.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,882.94$2,346.6919.8%
      Apartment Rent $909.00$949.004.2%

      Transportation

      Item Gretna National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.469.2%
      Tire Balancing $68.00$59.9213.5%

      Utilities

      Item Gretna National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $149.86$193.9922.8%
      Phone $186.90$192.252.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pleasure Bend, LA3008416.1%
      Bridge City, LA6,4098811.6%
      Avondale, LA4,8899010.3%
      Westwego, LA8,411909.7%
      Waggaman, LA10,917927.9%
      Gretna, LA17,746946.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Maitland, FL17,74912727.3%
      Lackawanna, NY17,7518515.5%
      Ocean Springs, MS17,756963.9%
      Ferndale, MD17,73211615.9%
      Miramichi, NB17,761n/a 
      Gretna, LA17,746946.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.