Cost of Living in Houma, LA

Population 32,760 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

72
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Houma cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $208,000, rents near $1,011 a month.

Located 45 miles southwest of Metairie, Houma falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 33% lower than Metairie's $309,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 68
Rent 77

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

About the Cost of Living in Houma

The median home value in Houma is $207,900 — 32% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,011/month, 23% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $54,637/year is 27% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, below 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 78.5°F and lows of 62.5°F. Overall, Houma has a cost of living index of 72 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 28% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$207,900
32% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$174,731
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,011/mo
23% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,313/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1x
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 69.4%
Renter-occupied 30.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,011
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,625/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
21.4 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.3%
Carpooled
11.1%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
0.9%
Work from home
3.3%

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
$54,637
27% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,553
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
28% below avg
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Labor Force Participation
60.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.1%
Graduate degree 7.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.1
Male median age 34.1
Female median age 36.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
78.5°F
Avg Low
62.5°F
Annual Precip
63.4"
Annual Snowfall
0"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 636672798590919188817165
Low °F 465055626975777774645448
Precip" 5.184.134.365.225.647.626.796.915.113.703.874.82

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
67%
Good air days/yr
176
Max AQI recorded
115
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

95%
4-Year Graduation Rate
19:1
Student-teacher ratio
32
Public schools
16,970
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Houma, LA?

Houma has a cost index of 72 (100 = national average). It is 28% below the national average.

What is average rent in Houma, LA?

The median gross rent in Houma is $1,011 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Houma?

The median home value in Houma is $207,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Houma?

The median household income in Houma is $54,637 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Houma, LA?

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

Is Houma, LA affordable?

Yes, Houma is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 72 — about 28% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Houma?

Houma has average high temperatures of 78.5°F and average lows of 62.5°F. Annual precipitation is 63.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Houma at a Glance

Population
32,760
Median Income
$54,637
Home Value
$207,900
Median Rent
$1,011/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Avg High Temp
78.5°F
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