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City Report · LA

Ruston

Pop. 22,284·25th most expensive in Louisiana·Ruston rents are up 31.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,442/mo
Year-over-Year
+31.1%
Month-over-Month
+5.9%
vs US Median
-$523
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Ruston · $1,442
More affordable than 79% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
56% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,442/mo, rent takes about 56% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$58,000/yr
Local median income
$31,120/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Ruston's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$720
1 BR
$780
2 BR
$980
3 BR
$1,290
4 BR+
$1,600
Research median
$980/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$17,304/yr
At $1,442/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 31.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+31.1% YoY, +5.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Ruston, LA is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 40.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,284
Median income
$31,120
Median age
24.3
Renters
63.8%
Age distribution
14.3%
50%
16.1%
12.1%
Under 1814.3%
18–3450%
35–5416.1%
55–647.5%
65+12.1%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
47.7%
43.2%
White47.7%
Black43.2%
Hispanic1.9%
Asian2%
Other5.2%
Education (25+)
28.1%
24.7%
40.2%
No HS diploma7.1%
HS diploma28.1%
Some college24.7%
Bachelor's+40.2%
Housing tenure
36.2%
63.8%
Owner36.2%
Renter63.8%

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

2023 vs 2026

How Ruston, LA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,109 → $1,442
up 30.0%
Income
$34,554 → $31,120
down 9.9%
Population
22,286 → 22,284
up 0.0%
Renter share
64.8% → 63.8%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
45.1% → 40.2%
-4.9 pts

Compared with 2023, rent in Ruston, LA has increased by $333 per month, settling near $1,442 after starting the period at $1,109. Census figures show median household income at $31,120 today, compared with $34,554 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 39.9 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 45.1% to 40.2%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

Community

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View Ruston rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Ruston on your salary?

At $1,442/mo, how Ruston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Ruston rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Ruston

About renting in Ruston, LA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Ruston is $1,442/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $720/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $780/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,290/mo.

At 56% of local median household income ($31,120/yr), Ruston ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 31.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Ruston an affordable city for renters?

Ruston is considered expensive for renters. At $1,442/mo, rent takes approximately 56% of the local median household income ($31,120/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Ruston significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Ruston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,442/mo in Ruston. The local median household income is $31,120/yr, meaning the typical Ruston household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Ruston?

Rent in Ruston has increased 31.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Ruston rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

Ruston is middle-of-the-pack for Louisiana for rent, ranking #25 out of 46 tracked cities at $1,442/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Ruston?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Ruston ($1,442/mo): Pineville ($1,037/mo), West Monroe ($1,154/mo), Shreveport ($1,170/mo).

What percentage of Ruston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 63.8% of Ruston households are renters, while 36.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Ruston has a strong rental market.

How does Ruston rent compare to the national average?

Ruston's median rent of $1,442/mo is $523 (27%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #25 out of 46 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
56%
EXPENSIVE

At $1,442/mo, rent takes ~56% of Ruston's median household income ($31,120/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Ruston 56%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.85–4.25%
Run the Ruston affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Ruston, LA

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