Cost of Living in Donaldsonville, LA

Population 6,792 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

60
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $24,160, median household incomes in Donaldsonville land roughly 68% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 43% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Donaldsonville is about 25 miles south of Baton Rouge, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Baton Rouge's $225,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 58
Rent 64

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

About the Cost of Living in Donaldsonville

The median home value in Donaldsonville is $175,500 — 42% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $838/month, 36% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $24,160/year is 68% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 12.6%, 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%. Overall, Donaldsonville has a cost of living index of 60 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 40% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$175,500
42% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$162,666
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$838/mo
36% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.5x
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 54.1%
Renter-occupied 45.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$838
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,452/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
29.9 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.0%
Carpooled
21.8%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
5.2%

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
$24,160
68% below avg
Per Capita Income
$19,401
Unemployment Rate
12.6%
163% above avg
Poverty Rate
42.9%
Labor Force Participation
59.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.8%
Graduate degree 3.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 30.8
Male median age 32.3
Female median age 30.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 34 — Good
85.6%
Good air days/yr
154
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
350
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

90%
4-Year Graduation Rate
17.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
28
Public schools
23,066
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Donaldsonville, LA?

Donaldsonville has a cost index of 60 (100 = national average). It is 40% below the national average.

What is average rent in Donaldsonville, LA?

The median gross rent in Donaldsonville is $838 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Donaldsonville?

The median home value in Donaldsonville is $175,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Donaldsonville?

The median household income in Donaldsonville is $24,160 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Donaldsonville, LA?

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

Is Donaldsonville, LA affordable?

Yes, Donaldsonville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 60 — about 40% below the US national average of 100.