Cost of Living in Waggaman, LA

Population 10,617 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

74
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Waggaman 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. Around 26% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 5 miles southwest of Metairie, Waggaman falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 49% lower than Metairie's $309,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 52
Rent 108

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

About the Cost of Living in Waggaman

The median home value in Waggaman is $158,500 — 48% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,417/month, 8% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,566/year is 20% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.2%, 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 78.5°F and lows of 62.5°F. Overall, Waggaman has a cost of living index of 74 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$158,500
48% below avg
Median Rent
$1,417/mo
8% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.3x
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 69.6%
Renter-occupied 30.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,417
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,031/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
33.3 min
23% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.9%
Carpooled
12.9%
Public transit
0.9%
Work from home
5.5%

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
$59,566
20% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,398
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
28% above avg
Poverty Rate
26.4%
Labor Force Participation
61.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 6.0%
Graduate degree 8.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.4
Male median age 39
Female median age 37.7

🌤 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 51 — Moderate
49.7%
Good air days/yr
126
Max AQI recorded
215
PM2.5 days
147
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Waggaman, LA?

Waggaman has a cost index of 74 (100 = national average). It is 26% below the national average.

What is average rent in Waggaman, LA?

The median gross rent in Waggaman is $1,417 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Waggaman?

The median home value in Waggaman is $158,500 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Waggaman?

The median household income in Waggaman is $59,566 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Waggaman, LA?

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

Is Waggaman, LA affordable?

Yes, Waggaman is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 74 — about 26% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Waggaman?

Waggaman 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.

Waggaman at a Glance

Population
10,617
Median Income
$59,566
Home Value
$158,500
Median Rent
$1,417/mo
Unemployment
6.2%
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