Cost of Living in Monroe, LA
Monroe, LA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Monroe, LA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Monroe, LA?
With a price level of 83.6 (U.S. average = 100), Monroe, LA is one of the most affordable places in the country. In detail, housing costs are 57% below average; everyday goods are 6% below average; utilities are 28% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining are 4% below average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Monroe, LA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 83.6 | −16.4% |
| Housing | 42.8 | −57.2% |
| Goods | 93.7 | −6.3% |
| Utilities | 72.2 | −27.8% |
| Other services | 95.7 | −4.3% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Monroe, LA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $749 | $29,960/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $772 | $30,880/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $997 | $39,880/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,283 | $51,320/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,336 | $53,440/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Monroe, LA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Monroe, LA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,400 | $28,401 |
| $60,000 | $50,200 | $41,396 |
| $80,000 | $66,900 | $54,273 |
| $100,000 | $83,600 | $65,521 |
| $150,000 | $125,400 | $93,601 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Louisiana 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Monroe, LA's median wage of $38,150 takes home about $2,673 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $772, which is 29% of take-home pay — within the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $1,901 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Monroe, LA
- Federal income tax$2,398
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,365
- Medicare (1.45%)$553
- Louisiana income tax$758
- Take-home pay$32,075
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Monroe, LA
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,260 | $29,840 | $35,695 |
| Retail Salesperson | $27,710 | $23,984 | $28,690 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $21,720 | $19,231 | $23,004 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Louisiana cities
Half of Louisiana’s 1,934,900 workers earn less than $45,520 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $30,350–$66,340 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Houma, LA stretches a paycheck furthest, while Hammond, LA is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | $47,290 | 92.6 | $1,105 | 34% | $2,157 | $42,275 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $48,710 | 90.8 | $1,048 | 31% | $2,306 | $44,331 |
| Lafayette, LA | $41,780 | 87.2 | $847 | 29% | $2,060 | $39,999 |
| Shreveport, LA | $44,820 | 84.8 | $982 | 32% | $2,121 | $43,926 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $45,700 | 85.9 | $894 | 28% | $2,266 | $44,163 |
| Slidell, LA | $43,710 | 92.7 | $1,130 | 37% | $1,901 | $39,229 |
| Monroe, LA | $38,150 | 83.6 | $772 | 29% | $1,901 | $38,369 |
| Houma, LA | $45,610 | 85.1 | $904 | 29% | $2,250 | $44,470 |
| Alexandria, LA | $40,600 | 85.7 | $780 | 28% | $2,051 | $39,645 |
| Hammond, LA | $38,480 | 84.5 | $848 | 31% | $1,846 | $38,279 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Monroe, LA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe, LA | 83.6 | $772 | $38,150 | 87,500 |
| Joplin, MO | 85.7 | $756 | $44,980 | 87,190 |
| Daphne, AL | 94.7 | $1,200 | $38,520 | 87,120 |
| Bloomington, IL | 93.5 | $999 | $53,140 | 88,110 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 92.8 | $962 | $48,100 | 86,060 |
| Florence, SC | 86.8 | $922 | $43,520 | 89,060 |
| Medford, OR | 101.4 | $1,229 | $49,900 | 89,060 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Monroe, LA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Monroe, LA metro area are 83.6% of the U.S. average, with housing at 42.8%. It is the #387 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Monroe, LA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $50,158 in Monroe, LA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $38,150.
Can you afford Monroe, LA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $38,150 median wage takes home about $2,673 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $772 would take 29% of that.
How much is rent in Monroe, LA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Monroe, LA are $749 for a studio, $772 for one bedroom, $997 for two bedrooms and $1,283 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Monroe, LA
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $21,720
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $27,710