What is the cheapest town to live in Louisiana?

The cheapest towns to live in Louisiana tend to cluster in the north and central parts of the state: Monroe, Alexandria, Bastrop, and Ruston typically run well below the state average of $3,275 a month, driven mainly by housing in the $500 to $900 range for a one-bedroom. Shreveport offers a slightly larger metro at similar pricing. The southwest (Lake Charles, Lafayette) sits modestly higher because of energy industry demand, and New Orleans runs above the state mean. For households trading lower cost for thinner job markets, the central and northern parishes deliver the deepest discount versus the US average ($3,525). For the state-level picture, see our Louisiana cost of living page.