Cost of living in Monroe, LA
222,390 people (Census 2025 estimate). Overall prices are 16.4% below the US average, with housing at 42.8 on BEA’s index (US = 100). A single renter on $60,000 keeps $1,748 a month after 2026 taxes and modeled costs.
Typical household budgets in Monroe, LA
Computed by MoveMath’s engine with 2026 tax law, HUD Fair Market Rent for the bedrooms each household needs, DOL 2022 childcare prices for Ouachita Parish, LA in current dollars, USDA Moderate-Cost food, one car per adult and $1,000 a month of other spending at US-average prices scaled by local price levels.
| Per month | Single, $60k | Couple + toddler, $110k | Family of four, $51,660 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,000 | $9,167 | $4,305 |
| Taxes | $919 | $1,465 | $394 |
| Take-home pay | $4,081 | $7,701 | $3,911 |
| Housing | $794 | $1,017 | $1,017 |
| Childcare | $0 | $791 | $1,466 |
| Food | $413 | $926 | $1,202 |
| Transportation | $156 | $313 | $313 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $23 | $23 |
| Other goods & services | $947 | $947 | $947 |
| Left over | $1,748 | $3,684 | −$1,058 |
Family of four = two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child at the metro’s median household income ($51,660). Click a column to open it in the budget planner and change any input.
Price levels: Monroe, LA vs Louisiana and the US
BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. 100 = US average; bars compare the metro (dark) with Louisiana statewide (light).
Within Louisiana, Monroe, LA ranks 10th of 10 metros on overall prices; the state as a whole is at 88.2. The dashed line marks the US average.
Rent and homeownership
| Unit | HUD Fair Market Rent | Income needed at 30% | Share of median income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $782 | $31,280 | 18.2% |
| 1-bedroom | $794 | $31,760 | 18.4% |
| 2-bedroom | $1,017 | $40,680 | 23.6% |
| 3-bedroom | $1,314 | $52,560 | 30.5% |
| 4-bedroom | $1,337 | $53,480 | 31.1% |
FY2027 FMRs for Monroe, LA HUD Metro FMR Area: 40th-percentile gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) for standard-quality units. Census median gross rent, all unit sizes: $931 (ACS 2020-2024).
Childcare prices in Ouachita Parish, LA
| Age band | Center, weekly (2022) | Center, yearly today* | Home-based, weekly (2022) | Home-based, yearly today* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $157 | $9,959 | $137 | $8,687 |
| Toddler (2) | $149 | $9,496 | $137 | $8,687 |
| Preschool (3–4) | $144 | $9,125 | $138 | $8,793 |
| School-age (5–12) | $133 | $8,471 | $120 | $7,628 |
DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 county medians for full-time care in Ouachita Parish, LA (the metro’s principal county). *52 weeks × 1.2224, the BLS CPI change for day care and preschool from the 2022 average to 2026-08.
Taxes: what you keep in Monroe
| Single filer, 2026 | $50,000 | $75,000 | $120,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $3,820 | $7,670 | $17,570 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $3,825 | $5,738 | $9,180 |
| Louisiana income tax | $1,115 | $1,865 | $3,215 |
| Take-home pay / month | $3,437 | $4,977 | $7,503 |
| Share of pay to taxes | 17.5% | 20.4% | 25.0% |
No mandatory local income tax for residents of Monroe in our data. State sales tax: 5% (state rate only; local rates add on), groceries exempt.
Energy and fuel
EIA: electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05. Renters’ utilities are already inside gross rent.
Nearby metros
| Metro | Distance | Price level | 2-BR FMR | Single $60k left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe, LA | — | 83.6 | $1,017 | $1,748 |
| Alexandria, LA · compare | 88 mi | 85.7 | $995 | $1,746 (−$2) |
| Shreveport, LA · compare | 100 mi | 84.8 | $1,045 | $1,616 (−$132) |
| Jackson, MS · compare | 110 mi | 89.0 | $1,289 | $1,358 (−$389) |
| Texarkana, TX-AR · compare | 133 mi | 84.0 | $1,118 | $1,780 (+$33) |
| Hot Springs, AR · compare | 147 mi | 85.7 | $1,110 | $1,648 (−$99) |
| Little Rock, AR · compare | 153 mi | 89.4 | $1,121 | $1,542 (−$205) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Monroe, LA expensive to live in?+
BEA’s Regional Price Parities put overall prices in the Monroe, LA metro at 83.6 (US = 100) in 2024 — 16.4% below the national average and the 387th highest of 387 metros. Housing is 42.8, goods 93.7.
What salary do you need to live in Monroe, LA?+
A single renter earning $60,000 keeps $4,081 a month after 2026 taxes and has $1,748 left after rent at HUD Fair Market Rent, food, fuel, sales tax and other modeled costs. Use the cost of living calculator to find the salary that matches your current budget.
How much is rent in Monroe, LA?+
HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent — the 40th-percentile gross rent including utilities — is $794 for a 1-bedroom and $1,017 for a 2-bedroom. The Census median gross rent for all units is $931.
Does Monroe have a local income tax?+
No mandatory local income tax applies to residents of Monroe in our 2026 data. Louisiana state income tax does apply.