CICostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Monroe is significantly cheaper than Lancaster — 15.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $68,000 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−54.4%
Lancaster
93.8
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries−7.0%
Lancaster
100.7
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation−2.0%
Lancaster
102.6
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−2.0%
Lancaster
92.8
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities−32.7%
Lancaster
107.3
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$68,000
$12,000 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 0.8505. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$393,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.5×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$168,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.0×

Lancaster has 54.4% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$85,800
Per Capita Income
$48,900
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$56,500
Per Capita Income
$32,200
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Lancaster, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Lancaster vs other cities

Lancaster, PA
vs
Allentown, PA
Index: 98.3Index: 100
Lancaster, PA
vs
Erie, PA
Index: 98.3Index: 91
Lancaster, PA
vs
Harrisburg, PA
Index: 98.3Index: 98.7
Lancaster, PA
vs
Casper, WY
Index: 98.3Index: 93.8
Lancaster, PA
vs
Corvallis, OR
Index: 98.3Index: 104

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.