Cost of Living in Sulphur, LA

Population 21,004 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

65
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Sulphur a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $175,000.

Sulphur is about 50 miles east of Beaumont, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 10% higher than Beaumont's $159,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 57
Rent 77

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

About the Cost of Living in Sulphur

The median home value in Sulphur is $175,200 — 43% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,015/month, 23% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,044/year is 22% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.6%, 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%. Overall, Sulphur has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$175,200
43% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$197,057
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,015/mo
23% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,298/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4x
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 72.8%
Renter-occupied 27.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,015
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,629/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
18.4 min
32% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.5%
Carpooled
7.3%
Walked
2.2%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
3.6%

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
$58,044
22% below avg
Per Capita Income
$30,014
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
4% below avg
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Labor Force Participation
56.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.5%
Graduate degree 5.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.3
Male median age 39.2
Female median age 39.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
38.1%
Good air days/yr
133
Max AQI recorded
249
PM2.5 days
116
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sulphur, LA?

Sulphur has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.

What is average rent in Sulphur, LA?

The median gross rent in Sulphur is $1,015 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sulphur?

The median home value in Sulphur is $175,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sulphur?

The median household income in Sulphur is $58,044 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sulphur, LA?

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

Is Sulphur, LA affordable?

Yes, Sulphur is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.

Sulphur at a Glance

Population
21,004
Median Income
$58,044
Home Value
$175,200
Median Rent
$1,015/mo
Unemployment
4.6%
Sales Tax
9.5%
View all cities in Louisiana →
🗺️ County data for Louisiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

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