Cost of Living in Merrydale, LA

Population 9,149 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

61
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $41,986, median household incomes in Merrydale land roughly 44% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. Around 30% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Geographically, Merrydale is part of the immediate Baton Rouge metro area. Median home values run roughly 45% lower than Baton Rouge's $225,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 41
Rent 90

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

About the Cost of Living in Merrydale

The median home value in Merrydale is $124,300 — 59% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,187/month, 10% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $41,986/year is 44% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 25.2%, 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%. The climate averages highs of 78.9°F and lows of 58.1°F. Overall, Merrydale has a cost of living index of 61 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 39% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$124,300
59% below avg
Median Rent
$1,187/mo
10% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
8.7x
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 76.8%
Renter-occupied 23.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,187
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,801/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
25.2 min
7% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.3%
Carpooled
21.2%
Public transit
0.7%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
11.0%

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
$41,986
44% below avg
Per Capita Income
$20,608
Unemployment Rate
25.2%
424% above avg
Poverty Rate
29.9%
Labor Force Participation
56.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.4%
Graduate degree 4.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.6
Male median age 30.4
Female median age 40.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
78.9°F
Avg Low
58.1°F
Annual Precip
61.9"
Annual Snowfall
0.2"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 626773798691929289817164
Low °F 424551576572747369584843
Precip" 6.364.424.465.085.236.455.096.374.424.843.905.32
Snow" 0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.2

💨 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 Merrydale, LA?

Merrydale has a cost index of 61 (100 = national average). It is 39% below the national average.

What is average rent in Merrydale, LA?

The median gross rent in Merrydale is $1,187 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Merrydale?

The median home value in Merrydale is $124,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Merrydale?

The median household income in Merrydale is $41,986 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Merrydale, LA?

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

Is Merrydale, LA affordable?

Yes, Merrydale is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 61 — about 39% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Merrydale?

Merrydale has average high temperatures of 78.9°F and average lows of 58.1°F. Annual precipitation is 61.9". Average annual snowfall is 0.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Merrydale at a Glance

Population
9,149
Median Income
$41,986
Home Value
$124,300
Median Rent
$1,187/mo
Unemployment
25.2%
Avg High Temp
78.9°F
Sales Tax
9.5%
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