How much does it cost to rent in New Orleans, LA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in New Orleans, LA is $1,664. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is New Orleans cheaper than other Louisiana cities?

New Orleans is one of the pricier cities in Louisiana, ranking #9 out of 46 cities tracked at $1,664/mo.

When was New Orleans rent data last updated?

New Orleans rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Mitch Hodiono / Unsplash

City Report · LA

New Orleans

Name: Average Rent Prices in New Orleans, LA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 371,853·9th most expensive in Louisiana·Rental market data updated monthly for New Orleans, LA

Median rent (all units)

$1,664/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.7%

Month-over-Month

-1.5%

vs US Median

-$301

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

New Orleans · $1,664

More affordable than 64% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

59/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what New Orleans's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,664/mo

Expected by trend

$1,744/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where New Orleans's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,142

1 BR

$1,319

2 BR

$1,576

3 BR

$2,015

4 BR+

$2,366

Research median

$1,576/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$19,968/yr

At $1,664/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, -1.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

New Orleans, LA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 42.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

371,853

Median income

$56,631

Median age

38.8

Renters

48.8%

Age distribution

19.7%

24%

26.6%

12.5%

17.2%

Under 1819.7%

18–3424%

35–5426.6%

55–6412.5%

65+17.2%

Gender

47.1%

52.9%

Male47.1%

Female52.9%

Race & ethnicity

31.2%

54.6%

White31.2%

Black54.6%

Hispanic8.2%

Asian2.8%

Other3.3%

Education (25+)

21%

26.3%

42.4%

No HS diploma10.4%

HS diploma21%

Some college26.3%

Bachelor's+42.4%

Housing tenure

51.2%

48.8%

Owner51.2%

Renter48.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How New Orleans, LA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,396 → $1,664

up 19.2%

Income

$45,594 → $56,631

up 24.2%

Population

383,974 → 371,853

down 3.2%

Renter share

52% → 48.8%

-3.2 pts

Bachelor's+

39.1% → 42.4%

+3.3 pts

Median age

37.7 → 38.8

+1.1 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in New Orleans, LA has shifted from $1,396 to $1,664, up 19.2% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $56,631 today, compared with $45,594 five years earlier. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show New Orleans, LA losing about 12,121 residents over the five-year window, down 3.2% on net. The renter share has eased from 52% to 48.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 39.1% to 42.4% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about New Orleans

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View New Orleans rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in New Orleans on your salary?

At $1,664/mo, how New Orleans rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $82,198/yr · Rent = 24.3% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $58,360/yr · Rent = 34.2% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $67,225/yr · Rent = 29.7% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $120,156/yr · Rent = 16.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $153,529/yr · Rent = 13% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $54,645/yr · Rent = 36.5% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $49,338/yr · Rent = 40.5% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $60,813/yr · Rent = 32.8% income

stretched

By apartment size

New Orleans rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in New Orleans

About renting in New Orleans, LA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in New Orleans is $1,664/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,142/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,576/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,319/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,015/mo.

At 35% of local median household income ($56,631/yr), New Orleans ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is New Orleans an affordable city for renters?

New Orleans is considered moderate for renters. At $1,664/mo, rent takes approximately 35% of the local median household income ($56,631/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. New Orleans slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in New Orleans?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,664/mo in New Orleans. The local median household income is $56,631/yr, meaning the typical New Orleans household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in New Orleans?

Rent in New Orleans has increased 1.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which New Orleans neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in New Orleans are 70127 ($1,250/mo), 70114 ($1,446/mo), and 70117 ($1,509/mo). Citywide, the median rent in New Orleans is $1,664/mo.

How does New Orleans rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

New Orleans is one of the pricier cities in Louisiana for rent, ranking #9 out of 46 tracked cities at $1,664/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than New Orleans?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than New Orleans ($1,664/mo): Harvey ($1,212/mo), Chalmette ($1,461/mo), Gretna ($1,594/mo).

What percentage of New Orleans residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 48.8% of New Orleans households are renters, while 51.2% are owner-occupied. New Orleans leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does New Orleans rent compare to the national average?

New Orleans's median rent of $1,664/mo is $301 (15%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #9 out of 46 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

35%

MODERATE

At $1,664/mo, rent takes ~35% of New Orleans's median household income ($56,631/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

New Orleans 35%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1.85–4.25%

Run the New Orleans affordability calculator →

Nearby cities