Cost of Living in Zachary, LA

Population 19,637 · Louisiana · Data vintage 2023

95
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Zachary 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. At 6.8%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Zachary sits roughly 15 miles north of Baton Rouge. Median home values run roughly 15% higher than Baton Rouge's $225,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 85
Rent 110

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

About the Cost of Living in Zachary

The median home value in Zachary is $258,000 — 15% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,440/month, 10% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $90,507/year is 21% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.8%, 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, Zachary has a cost of living index of 95 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$258,000
15% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$263,913
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,440/mo
10% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,650/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9x
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 82.6%
Renter-occupied 17.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,440
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,054/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
29.6 min
10% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
90.7%
Carpooled
4.7%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
4.0%

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
$90,507
21% above avg
Per Capita Income
$43,542
Unemployment Rate
6.8%
41% above avg
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Labor Force Participation
75.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 23.0%
Graduate degree 15.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.2
Male median age 29.9
Female median age 37.4

🌤 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

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18:1
Student-teacher ratio
7
Public schools
5,550
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Zachary, LA?

Zachary has a cost index of 95 (100 = national average). It is 5% below the national average.

What is average rent in Zachary, LA?

The median gross rent in Zachary is $1,440 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Zachary?

The median home value in Zachary is $258,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Zachary?

The median household income in Zachary is $90,507 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Zachary, LA?

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

Is Zachary, LA affordable?

Zachary is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 95 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Zachary?

Zachary 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.

Zachary at a Glance

Population
19,637
Median Income
$90,507
Home Value
$258,000
Median Rent
$1,440/mo
Unemployment
6.8%
Avg High Temp
78.9°F
Sales Tax
9.5%
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