Cost of Living in Shenandoah, LA

Population 18,259 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

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

Shenandoah sits on the smaller end of the Louisiana city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Shenandoah sits roughly 8 miles east of Baton Rouge — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 42% higher than Baton Rouge's $225,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 105
Rent 93

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

About the Cost of Living in Shenandoah

The median home value in Shenandoah is $319,300 — 5% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,216/month, 7% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $107,544/year is 44% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.5%, 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, Shenandoah has a cost of living index of 100 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is on par with the national average.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$319,300
5% above avg
Median Rent
$1,216/mo
7% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.9x
Favors renting
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 75.9%
Renter-occupied 24.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,216
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,830/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
28.4 min
5% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
15.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.1%
Carpooled
5.5%
Walked
0.1%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
15.9%

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
$107,544
44% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,404
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
14% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Labor Force Participation
68.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 33.5%
Graduate degree 17.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.1
Male median age 42
Female median age 37.4

💨 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 Shenandoah, LA?

Shenandoah has a cost index of 100 (100 = national average). It is near the national average.

What is average rent in Shenandoah, LA?

The median gross rent in Shenandoah is $1,216 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Shenandoah?

The median home value in Shenandoah is $319,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Shenandoah?

The median household income in Shenandoah is $107,544 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Shenandoah, LA?

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

Is Shenandoah, LA affordable?

Shenandoah is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 100 (100 = US average).