Build your monthly budget for New Orleans. The calculator is pre-filled with realistic local expenses, including $1,450 average rent, so you can see your savings rate against the 50/30/20 rule.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
New Orleans has a cost-of-living index of 98 (US average = 100). Housing is usually the largest line item, with average 1-bedroom rent near $1,450/month. The estimates below are pre-filled in the calculator and scaled to local costs.
| Expense Category | Typical New Orleans Amount |
|---|---|
| Housing (1-bedroom rent) | $1,450/month |
| Food (single person) | $400/month |
| Transportation | $500/month |
| Utilities & Internet | $160/month |
| Healthcare & Insurance | $320/month |
| Personal & Entertainment | $225/month |
| Recommended Savings | 15%+ of gross income |
| Emergency Fund Target | 3 to 6 months of expenses |
New Orleans is the cultural capital of the Gulf South, with an economy built on tourism and conventions, the Port of New Orleans, energy and petrochemicals, healthcare, and a world-famous food, music, and festival scene.
| Local Metric | New Orleans (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 365,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Orleans Parish |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 98 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,450/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,750/month |
| Median home price | $320,000 |
| Median household income | $55,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 9.45% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.7% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
With a cost-of-living index of 98 (US average = 100) and average 1-bedroom rent near $1,450/month, a single adult in New Orleans typically needs take-home pay of at least $3,600/month to cover needs and save. The MIT living wage for a single adult is about $21.00/hour.
Split after-tax income into 50% needs (housing, food, utilities, transport, minimum debt), 30% wants, and 20% savings and extra debt payoff. In a high-cost city like New Orleans, the needs share often runs above 50%, so protect the 20% savings target.
Average rent in New Orleans is about $1,450 for a 1-bedroom and $1,750 for a 2-bedroom. A common guideline keeps rent under 30% of gross income, though that is difficult in higher-cost metros.
Based on the local cost-of-living index, typical monthly expenses in New Orleans run around $1,450 housing, $400 food, $500 transportation, and $160 utilities for a single person. The calculator is pre-filled with these estimates.
Aim for three to six months of essential expenses. In New Orleans, with monthly needs around $2,830, that is roughly $8,490 to $16,980.