Cost of Living in Gardere, LA

Population 12,130 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

84
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Gardere a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $251,000. Around 28% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 6 miles south of Baton Rouge, Gardere falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 12% higher than Baton Rouge's $225,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 82
Rent 86

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

About the Cost of Living in Gardere

The median home value in Gardere is $250,600 — 18% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,135/month, 14% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,694/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, 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, Gardere has a cost of living index of 84 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 16% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$250,600
18% below avg
Median Rent
$1,135/mo
14% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4x
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 42.9%
Renter-occupied 57.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,135
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,749/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
25.7 min
5% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.5%
Carpooled
8.5%
Public transit
4.8%
Walked
2.3%
Work from home
9.4%

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
$60,694
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,512
Unemployment Rate
6.0%
24% above avg
Poverty Rate
28.4%
Labor Force Participation
77.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.9%
Graduate degree 14.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 26.5
Male median age 26.9
Female median age 26.1

💨 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 Gardere, LA?

Gardere has a cost index of 84 (100 = national average). It is 16% below the national average.

What is average rent in Gardere, LA?

The median gross rent in Gardere is $1,135 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Gardere?

The median home value in Gardere is $250,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Gardere?

The median household income in Gardere is $60,694 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Gardere, LA?

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

Is Gardere, LA affordable?

Yes, Gardere is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 84 — about 16% below the US national average of 100.

Gardere at a Glance

Population
12,130
Median Income
$60,694
Home Value
$250,600
Median Rent
$1,135/mo
Unemployment
6.0%
Sales Tax
9.5%
View all cities in Louisiana →
🗺️ County data for Louisiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs