Cost of LivingUpdated 2026-03-23

New Orleans, Louisiana

In New Orleans, Louisiana, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.58 as of 2026-03-23 — $0.13 above the national average of $3.45. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,400, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 2.58% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. New Orleans's cost-of-living index of 92 puts it below the national average of 100.

Key Numbers

Gas (Regular)

$3.58

National: $3.45

10.3%vs. 2022
AAA Gas Prices

Avg Rent (All)

$1,400

National: $1,900

14.0%vs. 2022

Grocery Inflation

2.58%

Year-over-year

BLS/FRED CPI

Fast Food Avg

$10.80

Combo meal

3.5%YoY

Electricity

11.7¢/kWh

~$105/mo avg bill

27.8%vs national avg
EIA Residential

Car Insurance

$290/mo

$3,480/yr state avg

61.9%vs national avg
Bankrate/NAIC

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Grocery Prices

Grocery Item Prices — 2022 to Present

Item20222023202420252026Change
Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility$1.73$2.00$2.56$3.79$2.08+2960.0%
Milk (gallon)$3.49$3.81$3.81$3.92$4.08+630.0%
Ground Beef (lb)$3.91$4.80$4.99$5.24$5.24+34.0%
Bread (loaf)$2.13$2.88$3.11$3.30$3.37+1900.0%
Chicken Breast (lb)$3.62$3.80$3.99$4.07$4.11+2630.0%
Butter (lb)$4.11$4.51$4.69$4.88$4.98+21.2%
Bacon (lb)$6.30$6.74$7.14$7.35$7.57+20.2%
Cheddar Cheese (lb)$5.62$6.12$6.36$6.49$6.69+19.0%
Pasta (lb)$1.43$1.76$1.83$1.87$1.87+30.8%
Rice (5 lb)$4.07$4.63$4.72$4.77$4.82+18.4%
Coffee (12 oz)$8.08$9.70$10.37$11.11$11.33+40.2%
Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage$3.72$4.35$4.79$5.18$5.44+46.2%
Potatoes (5 lb)$3.84$4.11$4.32$4.41$4.50+17.2%
Apples (3 lb)$4.36$4.58$4.81$4.86$5.01+14.9%
Tomatoes (lb)$2.11$2.39$2.53$2.63$2.68+27.0%
Lettuce (head)$1.73$1.94$2.07$2.13$2.15+24.3%
Cooking Oil (48 oz)$5.44$6.94$7.42$7.72$7.95+46.1%
Yogurt (32 oz)$3.91$4.27$4.44$4.66$4.75+21.5%
Cereal (family size)$4.70$5.51$5.90$6.07$6.25+33.0%
Frozen Pizza$5.77$6.85$7.47$7.84$8.16+41.4%

Dining & Restaurants

Fast Food Meal

$10.80

Casual Dining

$19.87

Monthly Spend

$356.49

+3.52% YoY

Chain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today

Combo meal / typical order for one

McDonald's

2022: $6.70

$10.80

+61.2%

Wendy's

2022: $7.56

$11.66

+54.2%

Chipotle

2022: $8.10

$12.10

+49.4%

Starbucks

2022: $3.83

$5.32

+38.9%

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Looking for an Apartment in New Orleans?

Average 1BR: $1,092/mo · 2BR: $1,652/mo

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