CostIndexUSA

Elk Grove, CA vs New Orleans, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Elk Grove
106.7
overall index
$2,200/mo rent
More AffordableLA
New Orleans
92.6
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

New Orleans is moderately cheaper than Elk Grove — 13.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Elk Grove, you would need $69,400 in New Orleans. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing33.9%
Elk Grove
130.2
New Orleans
86
🛒 Groceries10.9%
Elk Grove
105.2
New Orleans
93.7
🚗 Transportation4.6%
Elk Grove
105.3
New Orleans
100.5
🏥 Healthcare4.6%
Elk Grove
95.3
New Orleans
90.9
Utilities52.9%
Elk Grove
151.3
New Orleans
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Elk Grove to see what you'd need to earn in New Orleans to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in New Orleans, LA
$69,400
$10,600 less needed in New Orleans

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 106.7) = salary × 0.8679. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Elk Grove, CA

Median Home Price
$566,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,200
Housing Index
130.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

New Orleans, LA

Median Home Price
$253,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
86
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.4×

Elk Grove has 33.9% lower housing costs compared to New Orleans.

Income & Job Market

Elk Grove, CA

Median Household Income
$95,000
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
Population
176,124
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentRetailTechnologyEducation

New Orleans, LA

Median Household Income
$61,000
Per Capita Income
$34,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
383,997
Top Industries
TourismEnergyHealthcareShippingEntertainment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Elk Grove, CA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

New Orleans, LA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.