A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
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 Natchitoches Louisiana National
Cost of living9291100
Goods & Services9496100
Groceries9695100
Health care8599100
Housing8781100
Transportation9896100
Utilities9884100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Natchitoches, LA

Understanding the cost of living in Natchitoches can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Natchitoches cost of living index is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Natchitoches aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Natchitoches residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Natchitoches Affordable?

Is Natchitoches affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Natchitoches, for instance, where the median home price falls 7.4% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 26.3% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Natchitoches flaunting a median household income of $23,967, 56.7% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Natchitoches?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Natchitoches, the transportation index is 2.4% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Natchitoches starts at 4.45% and the income tax rates start at 1.85%.

Where is the Data From?

The Natchitoches cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Natchitoches is 2% higher than the Louisiana average
  • The cost of living in Natchitoches is 8% lower than the national average
  • Natchitoches 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 Natchitoches

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Compare Natchitoches, 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$77,908$6,492$1,818$2,337
      Renters$16,933$1,411$395$508
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Natchitoches, LA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Natchitoches, homeowners have a median income of $77,908. Using that number, a maximum of $1,818 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $16,933, which means there is a maximum of $395 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Natchitoches National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.17$24.264.5%
      Beauty Salon $35.17$45.5622.8%
      Toothpaste $3.68$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.07$1.2816.4%
      Movie $10.30$12.1315.1%
      Bowling $15.00$18.0016.7%

      Groceries

      Item Natchitoches National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.99$5.842.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.69$1.577.4%
      Milk $4.49$4.673.9%
      Potatoes $5.07$4.932.8%
      Pizza $11.12$12.098.0%
      Beer $9.97$10.414.2%

      Health Care

      Item Natchitoches National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $135.00$125.687.4%
      Doctor $79.00$135.7841.8%
      Dentist $99.88$113.2911.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.05$10.655.7%
      Lipitor $509.31$468.608.7%

      Housing

      Item Natchitoches National avg. Difference
      Home Price $171,000.00$184,700.007.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,793.84$2,346.6923.6%
      Apartment Rent $699.00$949.0026.3%

      Transportation

      Item Natchitoches National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.16$3.468.8%
      Tire Balancing $67.80$59.9213.1%

      Utilities

      Item Natchitoches National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $190.12$193.992.0%
      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.
      St. Maurice, LA3687228.2%
      Powhatan, LA1977722.7%
      Montgomery, LA7788218.1%
      Clarence, LA3298415.8%
      Natchez, LA4748911.0%
      Natchitoches, LA17,711927.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      White Settlement, TX17,716972.8%
      Takoma Park, MD17,70315958.7%
      Lake Butler, FL17,70016463.5%
      Zachary, LA17,6991044.3%
      Elizabeth City, NC17,725963.7%
      Natchitoches, LA17,711927.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.