CostIndexUSA

Midland, TX vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is moderately cheaper than Midland — 12.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Midland, you would need $69,800 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−57.8%
Midland
101.5
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Midland
93.8
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation−0.6%
Midland
101.1
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Midland
91.4
Monroe
90.9
⚡ Utilities−13.2%
Midland
83.2
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$69,800
$10,200 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.8727. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Monroe, LA

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

Midland has 57.8% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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).

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Midland vs other cities

Midland, TX
vs
Abilene, TX
Index: 95.8Index: 90.4
Midland, TX
vs
Amarillo, TX
Index: 95.8Index: 91.8
Midland, TX
vs
Arlington, TX
Index: 95.8Index: 103.1
Midland, TX
vs
Cedar Rapids, IA
Index: 95.8Index: 89
Midland, TX
vs
New Haven, CT
Index: 95.8Index: 104.6

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.