How much rent can you afford in New Orleans, LA?
Run your salary against New Orleans's current rent, or find the income you'd need for a target rent. Powered by live RentDataNow medians.
The 30% rent rule, in New Orleans
At a median rent of $1,664/mo, New Orleans is moderately stretched when measured against New Orleans median household income of $56,631/yr. Rent would consume roughly 35% of pre-tax income, and a salary of about $66,560 keeps rent at the recommended 30% threshold.
How New Orleans compares nearby
Median rent for the closest cities with data.
Frequently asked
How much rent can I afford in New Orleans?
On a $56,631 salary (the New Orleans median household income), the recommended ceiling is 30% of pre-tax income, or about $1,416/mo. New Orleans's median rent is $1,664/mo. Use the calculator on this page to run your own salary.
What salary do I need to live in New Orleans?
To keep New Orleans's $1,664/mo median rent under 30% of income, you'd need about $66,560/yr. Lower your target share (e.g. 25%) to need more, or raise it (e.g. 40%) to need less.
Is New Orleans affordable on the median Louisiana income?
New Orleans is moderately stretched on a $56,631 income. Rent would take 35% of pre-tax pay, outside the recommended 30% threshold.
What's the 30% rent rule?
The 30% rule is a long-standing budgeting guideline that keeps rent at or below 30% of gross (pre-tax) income. It leaves enough room for utilities, transit, savings, and debt service. In high-cost markets, many renters exceed 30%, and the Census Bureau classifies households paying more than 30% of income on rent as "cost-burdened".