Cost of Living in Monroe, LA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $823 (excluding rent), and $1,742 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,911 (excluding rent), and $4,025 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.10 $15.10

$12.57 $12.57

$18.12 $18.12

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$40.47 $40.47

$202 $202

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.13 $10.13

$7.09 $7.09

$13.17 $13.17

Cappuccino

$2.91 $2.91

$7.09 $7.09

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.70 $1.70

$2.43 $2.43

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.21 $1.21

$0.97 $0.97

$1.70 $1.70

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.91 $4.91

$2.45 $2.45

$6.87 $6.87

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.60 $6.60

$5.08 $5.08

$8.12 $8.12

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$0.94 $0.94

$2.28 $2.28

White Bread (500g)

$2.80 $2.80

$1.74 $1.74

$5.28 $5.28

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.97 $1.97

$6.70 $6.70

Eggs

$3.03 $3.03

$2.00 $2.00

$3.62 $3.62

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.05 $9.05

$6.79 $6.79

$17.88 $17.88

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.92 $7.92

$4.53 $4.53

$13.58 $13.58

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.42 $14.42

$10.81 $10.81

$21.63 $21.63

Apples (1kg)

$5.23 $5.23

$1.95 $1.95

$10.73 $10.73

Banana (1kg)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.32 $1.32

$2.95 $2.95

Oranges (1kg)

$5.15 $5.15

$2.61 $2.61

$10.85 $10.85

Tomato (1kg)

$3.95 $3.95

$2.87 $2.87

$11.21 $11.21

Potato (1kg)

$3.01 $3.01

$1.54 $1.54

$8.96 $8.96

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.05 $2.05

$4.45 $4.45

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.02 $1.02

$3.06 $3.06

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.66 $1.66

$4.88 $4.88

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.62 $7.62

$6.39 $6.39

$10.82 $10.82

Wine (Bottle)

$12.08 $12.08

$10.07 $10.07

$22.15 $22.15

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.69 $1.69

$2.09 $2.09

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$2.04 $2.04

$4.07 $4.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.23 $1.23

$1.97 $1.97

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.90 $3.90

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.22 $1.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$60.2 $60.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.80 $0.80

$0.72 $0.72

$0.86 $0.86

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.4K $37.4K

$24.3K $24.3K

$47.7K $47.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.2K $25.2K

$30.4K $30.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$140 $140

$101 $101

$197 $197

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$44.98 $44.98

$30.53 $30.53

$67.3 $67.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.7 $62.7

$25.07 $25.07

$110 $110

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.94 $46.94

$10.06 $10.06

$65.4 $65.4

Cinema Ticket

$11.92 $11.92

$10.92 $10.92

$17.89 $17.89

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$808 $808

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.2K $10.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.87 $35.87

$24.90 $24.90

$49.84 $49.84

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.02 $43.02

$35.43 $35.43

$50.6 $50.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.9 $61.9

$49.49 $49.49

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.0 $79.0

$65.6 $65.6

$121 $121

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,037 $1,037

$860 $860

$1,214 $1,214

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$785 $785

$658 $658

$911 $911

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,086 $2,086

$2,980 $2,980

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,869 $1,869

$1,574 $1,574

$2,164 $2,164

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,978 $1,978

$1,331 $1,331

$3,218 $3,218

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,778 $1,778

$1,315 $1,315

$2,651 $2,651

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,627 $3,627

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.61

6.19

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: April 12, 2026

Monroe, LA Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Monroe, LA - Frequently Asked Questions

Monroe offers a practical balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want steady costs without sacrificing access to amenities. The Cost of Living in Monroe, LA tends to be lower than many larger metro areas, especially for housing and everyday essentials, while local shops and services keep life convenient. For a longer stay, you’ll appreciate the option to mix apartment living with comfortable, older homes in walkable neighborhoods. Dining favors casual, community spots over tourist hubs, and weekly markets can stretch groceries further. Seasonal heat adds to cooling costs, but overall value remains clear for those seeking stability and community. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to test neighborhoods.

Daily life in Monroe blends small-city charm with straightforward logistics. For housing, you’ll find older, spacious homes and modest apartments in walkable pockets near downtown or close to campus areas; leases may be flexible for short stays. Groceries and dining offer reliable options – from local diners and markets to familiar chains – without the price pressures of bigger markets. Transport is often car-centered, with straightforward driving and parking; some residents rely on bus routes or rideshares for trips to work or events. If you work remotely, co-working spaces and cafés with reliable Wi‑Fi are common, helping you build routines. Knowing Monroe, LA living cost helps you plan around errands. Tip: Start with a month-long rental to test neighborhoods.

Quality of life in Monroe blends a small-town feel with practical access to healthcare, schools, and services that matter for remote work and families alike. A simple budgeting framework helps: divide your monthly spend into housing, groceries, transport, and fun, then add a buffer for utilities and weather. To save, favor local diners and farmers markets, share memberships for gyms or co-working spaces, and shop during off-peak hours. Neighborhood fit depends on your cadence – historic uptown streets offer charm, while nearby residential blocks feel quieter and more spacious. Humidity and heat shape daily routines, so plan for cooling and wardrobe basics accordingly. Tip: Explore two or three neighborhoods on weekends to sense the texture before moving.