Cost of Living in Meraux, LA

Population 7,492 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

67
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Meraux stay well under national norms: a median home value of $206,000 against median household incomes of $73,792 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Louisiana. A poverty rate near 21% 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.

Meraux sits roughly 9 miles south of New Orleans — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 31% lower than New Orleans' $296,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 67
Rent 66

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

About the Cost of Living in Meraux

The median home value in Meraux is $205,600 — 33% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $864/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,792/year is 1% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, 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 77.6°F and lows of 58.8°F. Overall, Meraux has a cost of living index of 67 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$205,600
33% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$215,277
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$864/mo
34% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8x
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 89.1%
Renter-occupied 10.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$864
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,478/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
31.9 min
18% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.5%
Carpooled
9.7%
Work from home
3.0%

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
$73,792
1% below avg
Per Capita Income
$34,066
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
19% below avg
Poverty Rate
21.0%
Labor Force Participation
63.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.2%
Graduate degree 6.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.4
Male median age 39.5
Female median age 39.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
77.6°F
Avg Low
58.8°F
Annual Precip
63.8"
40° 53° 65° 78° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 626671778489909087807164
Low °F 434652586571737370604945
Precip" 5.073.934.605.185.366.868.056.086.753.603.864.46

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
42.7%
Good air days/yr
119
Max AQI recorded
253
PM2.5 days
112
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Meraux, LA?

Meraux has a cost index of 67 (100 = national average). It is 33% below the national average.

What is average rent in Meraux, LA?

The median gross rent in Meraux is $864 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Meraux?

The median home value in Meraux is $205,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Meraux?

The median household income in Meraux is $73,792 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Meraux, LA?

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

Is Meraux, LA affordable?

Yes, Meraux is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 67 — about 33% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Meraux?

Meraux has average high temperatures of 77.6°F and average lows of 58.8°F. Annual precipitation is 63.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Meraux at a Glance

Population
7,492
Median Income
$73,792
Home Value
$205,600
Median Rent
$864/mo
Unemployment
3.9%
Avg High Temp
77.6°F
Sales Tax
9.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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