Cost of Living in Gonzales, LA
Population 12,748 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Housing costs in Gonzales stay well under national norms: a median home value of $213,000 against median household incomes of $66,152 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Louisiana. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Gonzales sits roughly 20 miles southeast of Baton Rouge — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Baton Rouge's $225,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Gonzales
The median home value in Gonzales is $212,800 — 30% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,550/month, 18% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $66,152/year is 11% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.0%, 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, Gonzales has a cost of living index of 89 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 11% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Gonzales, LA?
Gonzales has a cost index of 89 (100 = national average). It is 11% below the national average.
What is average rent in Gonzales, LA?
The median gross rent in Gonzales is $1,550 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Gonzales?
The median home value in Gonzales is $212,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Gonzales?
The median household income in Gonzales is $66,152 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Gonzales, LA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Gonzales is 9.5%. The Louisiana state income tax top rate is 4.3%.
Is Gonzales, LA affordable?
Yes, Gonzales is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 89 — about 11% below the US national average of 100.
Gonzales at a Glance
- Population
- 12,748
- Median Income
- $66,152
- Home Value
- $212,800
- Median Rent
- $1,550/mo
- Unemployment
- 9.0%
- Sales Tax
- 9.5%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Louisiana Rankings
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