Cost of Living in Westlake, LA

Population 4,794 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

62
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buyers in Westlake can reasonably expect a home to cost less than three years of household income — $168,000 against $67,691 in typical earnings — a ratio that has collapsed to 5:1 or worse in much of the country. An unemployment rate of 0.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 55 miles east of Beaumont, Westlake is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Housing prices track closely with Beaumont's $159,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 55
Rent 73

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

About the Cost of Living in Westlake

The median home value in Westlake is $168,200 — 45% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $960/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,691/year is 9% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 0.7%, 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, Westlake has a cost of living index of 62 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 38% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$168,200
45% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$179,362
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$960/mo
27% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,577/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6x
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 78.9%
Renter-occupied 21.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$960
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,574/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
25.5 min
6% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.6%
Carpooled
20.7%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
2.6%

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
$67,691
9% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,893
Unemployment Rate
0.7%
85% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Labor Force Participation
57.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.5%
Graduate degree 3.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.8
Male median age 37.1
Female median age 39.9

💨 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 Westlake, LA?

Westlake has a cost index of 62 (100 = national average). It is 38% below the national average.

What is average rent in Westlake, LA?

The median gross rent in Westlake is $960 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Westlake?

The median home value in Westlake is $168,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Westlake?

The median household income in Westlake is $67,691 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Westlake, LA?

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

Is Westlake, LA affordable?

Yes, Westlake is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 62 — about 38% below the US national average of 100.

Westlake at a Glance

Population
4,794
Median Income
$67,691
Home Value
$168,200
Median Rent
$960/mo
Unemployment
0.7%
Sales Tax
9.5%
View all cities in Louisiana →
🗺️ County data for Louisiana

Explore county-level cost of living data

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