Best rent-to-income cities in Louisiana

Cities in Louisiana ranked by lowest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Youngsville ranks first, with rent at 20.2% of median household income.
Across all 24 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,336/mo.
Kenner moved from #19 to #13 compared with a year ago.

Data as of September 2026. Twelve months of median rent as a share of Census median household income (5-year estimates). Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

24 cities

Rank	City	Rent/income	Median rent	Income	Vs. a year ago
01	YoungsvilleLA Pop. 17KCompare →	20.2%	$1,781/mo	$105,876	same
02	PrairievilleLA Pop. 35KCompare →	23.7%	$2,074/mo	$104,923	↑2 from #4
03	MetairieLA Pop. 140KCompare →	24.0%	$1,459/mo	$73,042	↑2 from #5
04	ZacharyLA Pop. 20KCompare →	24.0%	$1,690/mo	$84,480	↑2 from #6
05	SulphurLA Pop. 21KCompare →	25.0%	$1,287/mo	$61,760	↓3 from #2
06	SlidellLA Pop. 29KCompare →	25.3%	$1,489/mo	$70,497	↑1 from #7
07	LafayetteLA Pop. 122KCompare →	25.8%	$1,329/mo	$61,915	↑1 from #8
08	Lake CharlesLA Pop. 81KCompare →	26.9%	$1,329/mo	$59,235	↓5 from #3
09	HoumaLA Pop. 32KCompare →	27.5%	$1,336/mo	$58,194	same
10	ThibodauxLA Pop. 16KCompare →	28.3%	$1,226/mo	$52,072	same
11	ShreveportLA Pop. 181KCompare →	28.3%	$1,149/mo	$48,699	same
12	AlexandriaLA Pop. 44KCompare →	29.2%	$1,148/mo	$47,113	same
13	KennerLA Pop. 65KCompare →	29.9%	$1,595/mo	$64,020	↑6 from #19
14	ChalmetteLA Pop. 23KCompare →	30.7%	$1,404/mo	$54,904	↓1 from #13
15	Baton RougeLA Pop. 223KCompare →	31.2%	$1,301/mo	$49,994	↑1 from #16
16	HarveyLA Pop. 21KCompare →	31.7%	$1,288/mo	$48,774	↓1 from #15
17	HammondLA Pop. 22KCompare →	31.9%	$1,279/mo	$48,166	same
18	New IberiaLA Pop. 28KCompare →	32.2%	$1,264/mo	$47,087	↓4 from #14
19	Bossier CityLA Pop. 63KCompare →	33.1%	$1,538/mo	$55,819	↓1 from #18
20	New OrleansLA Pop. 372KCompare →	34.6%	$1,633/mo	$56,631	↑1 from #21
21	MonroeLA Pop. 47KCompare →	36.0%	$1,216/mo	$40,505	↓1 from #20
22	GretnaLA Pop. 17KCompare →	43.6%	$1,567/mo	$43,110	same
23	RustonLA Pop. 22KCompare →	46.2%	$1,198/mo	$31,120	same
24	MarreroLA Pop. 33KCompare →	48.6%	$1,678/mo	$41,402	same