CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is significantly cheaper than Harrisburg — 15.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $67,800 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−55.6%
Harrisburg
96.3
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries−7.0%
Harrisburg
100.7
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation−2.0%
Harrisburg
102.6
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−2.0%
Harrisburg
92.8
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities−33.2%
Harrisburg
108.1
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Harrisburg to see what you'd need to earn in Monroe to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$67,800
$12,200 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 0.8470. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Harrisburg has 55.6% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Harrisburg vs other cities

Harrisburg, PA
vs
Allentown, PA
Index: 98.7Index: 100
Harrisburg, PA
vs
Erie, PA
Index: 98.7Index: 91
Harrisburg, PA
vs
Lancaster, PA
Index: 98.7Index: 98.3
Harrisburg, PA
vs
Twin Falls, ID
Index: 98.7Index: 92.1
Harrisburg, PA
vs
Joplin, MO
Index: 98.7Index: 85.7

Monroe vs other cities

Monroe, LA
vs
Baton Rouge, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 90.8
Monroe, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 87.2
Monroe, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 83.6Index: 85.9
Monroe, LA
vs
Charleston, WV
Index: 83.6Index: 88.7
Monroe, LA
vs
San Luis Obispo, CA
Index: 83.6Index: 108.6

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.