Cost of Living in Brownfields, LA

Population 5,263 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

65
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Brownfields is a smaller Louisiana community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $50,809 and housing costs ($181,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.4% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Brownfields sits roughly 7 miles north of Baton Rouge. Median home values run roughly 19% lower than Baton Rouge's $225,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 59
Rent 73

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Brownfields

The median home value in Brownfields is $181,400 — 41% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $958/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,809/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Louisiana's top state income tax rate is 4.3% and the combined sales tax is 9.5%. The climate averages highs of 78.9°F and lows of 58.1°F. Overall, Brownfields has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$181,400
41% below avg
Median Rent
$958/mo
27% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$816
2 BR
$988
3 BR
$1,280
4 BR
$1,513
Owner-occupied 68.9%
Renter-occupied 31.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$958
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,572/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.7 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.4%
Carpooled
21.3%
Work from home
1.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 4.3%
Total Sales Tax 9.5%
State rate 4.5%
Avg local rate 5.1%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$50,809
32% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,150
Unemployment Rate
9.4%
95% above avg
Poverty Rate
27.9%
Labor Force Participation
61.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.9%
Graduate degree 6.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38
Male median age 39.3
Female median age 37.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
78.9°F
Avg Low
58.1°F
Annual Precip
61.9"
Annual Snowfall
0.2"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 626773798691929289817164
Low °F 424551576572747369584843
Precip" 6.364.424.465.085.236.455.096.374.424.843.905.32
Snow" 0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
40.8%
Good air days/yr
147
Max AQI recorded
258
PM2.5 days
107
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brownfields, LA?

Brownfields has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.

What is average rent in Brownfields, LA?

The median gross rent in Brownfields is $958 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Brownfields?

The median home value in Brownfields is $181,400 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Brownfields?

The median household income in Brownfields is $50,809 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Brownfields, LA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Brownfields is 9.5%. The Louisiana state income tax top rate is 4.3%.

Is Brownfields, LA affordable?

Yes, Brownfields is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Brownfields?

Brownfields has average high temperatures of 78.9°F and average lows of 58.1°F. Annual precipitation is 61.9". Average annual snowfall is 0.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Brownfields at a Glance

Population
5,263
Median Income
$50,809
Home Value
$181,400
Median Rent
$958/mo
Unemployment
9.4%
Avg High Temp
78.9°F
Sales Tax
9.5%
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