How much does it cost to rent in Monroe, LA?

As of August 2026, the median monthly rent in Monroe, LA is $1,570. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Monroe cheaper than other Louisiana cities?

Monroe falls in the middle range for Louisiana, ranking #17 out of 46 cities at $1,570/mo.

When was Monroe rent data last updated?

Monroe rent data reflects August 2026 and was last refreshed on August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Monroe, LA?

HUD sets the Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in Monroe, LA at $900 per month, which is 43% below the $1,570 market median. Fair Market Rent is the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standard. It is a 40th-percentile gross rent that includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash, and HUD updates it once a year, so it measures something different from current market asking rent.

City Report · LA

Monroe

Name: Average Rent Prices in Monroe, LA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pop. 47,004·17th most expensive in Louisiana·Monroe rents are up 107.1% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,570/mo

Year-over-Year

+107.1%

Month-over-Month

-3.2%

vs US Median

-$392

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Monroe · $1,570

More affordable than 71% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo

Affordability

47% of income

STRETCHED

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,570/mo, rent takes about 47% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$63,000/yr

Local median income

$40,505/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Monroe's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$700

1 BR

$700

2 BR

$900

3 BR

$1,160

4 BR+

$1,200

Fair Market Rent (HUD)

$900/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,570 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost

$18,840/yr

At $1,570/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 107.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+107.1% YoY, -3.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Monroe, LA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 32.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

47,004

Median income

$40,505

Median age

Renters

52.2%

Age distribution

25.6%

24.4%

21.5%

12.3%

16.2%

Under 1825.6%

18–3424.4%

35–5421.5%

55–6412.3%

65+16.2%

Gender

46.5%

53.5%

Male46.5%

Female53.5%

Race & ethnicity

34.5%

59.9%

White34.5%

Black59.9%

Hispanic2.7%

Asian1.9%

Other1%

Education (25+)

14.4%

27.7%

25.5%

32.4%

No HS diploma14.4%

HS diploma27.7%

Some college25.5%

Bachelor's+32.4%

Housing tenure

47.8%

52.2%

Owner47.8%

Renter52.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Monroe, LA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$860 → $1,570

up 82.6%

Income

$33,925 → $40,505

up 19.4%

Population

48,105 → 47,004

down 2.3%

Renter share

54.5% → 52.2%

-2.3 pts

Bachelor's+

26.8% → 32.4%

+5.6 pts

Median age

34.3 → 35

+0.7 yrs

The median rent in Monroe, LA stood at $860 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,570, reflecting a 82.6% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $33,925 to $40,505 across the same window, up 19.4% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 2.3% since 2021, moving from about 48,105 residents to roughly 47,004. Renters now make up 52.2% of households, compared with 54.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 32.4% of adults here, versus 26.8% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Monroe, LA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Monroe

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View Monroe rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Monroe on your salary?

At $1,570/mo, how Monroe rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $82,198/yr · Rent = 22.9% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $58,360/yr · Rent = 32.3% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $67,225/yr · Rent = 28% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $120,156/yr · Rent = 15.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $153,529/yr · Rent = 12.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $54,645/yr · Rent = 34.5% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $49,338/yr · Rent = 38.2% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $60,813/yr · Rent = 31% income

stretched

By apartment size

Monroe rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Monroe. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Monroe

About renting in Monroe, LA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Monroe is $1,570/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $700/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $900/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $700/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,160/mo.

At 47% of local median household income ($40,505/yr), Monroe ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 107.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Monroe an affordable city for renters?

Monroe is considered stretched for renters. At $1,570/mo, rent takes approximately 47% of the local median household income ($40,505/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Monroe significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Monroe?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,570/mo in Monroe. The local median household income is $40,505/yr, meaning the typical Monroe household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Monroe?

Rent in Monroe has increased 107.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Monroe rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

Monroe is middle-of-the-pack for Louisiana for rent, ranking #17 out of 46 tracked cities at $1,570/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Monroe?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Monroe ($1,570/mo): Pineville ($998/mo), Alexandria ($1,111/mo), Leesville ($1,113/mo).

What percentage of Monroe residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.2% of Monroe households are renters, while 47.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Monroe has a strong rental market.

How does Monroe rent compare to the national average?

Monroe's median rent of $1,570/mo is $392 (20%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #17 out of 46 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

47%

STRETCHED

At $1,570/mo, rent takes ~47% of Monroe's median household income ($40,505/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Monroe 47%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1.85–4.25%

Run the Monroe affordability calculator →

Nearby cities