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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,744 per month with rent, or $876 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $2,853 per month with rent, or $1,299 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $3,963 per month with rent, or $1,721 without housing.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.83 $14.83
$12.35 $12.35
$17.80 $17.80
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.22 $39.22
$39.22 $39.22
$196 $196
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.11 $10.11
$7.07 $7.07
$13.14 $13.14
Cappuccino
$2.95 $2.95
$2.95 $2.95
$7.19 $7.19
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 $1.96
$1.72 $1.72
$2.45 $2.45
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.26 $1.26
$1.01 $1.01
$1.77 $1.77
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.03 $5.03
$2.51 $2.51
$7.04 $7.04
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.62 $6.62
$5.09 $5.09
$8.14 $8.14
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.25 $1.25
$0.90 $0.90
$2.18 $2.18
White Bread (500g)
$2.70 $2.70
$1.67 $1.67
$5.09 $5.09
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.31 $2.31
$1.91 $1.91
$6.52 $6.52
Eggs
$2.97 $2.97
$1.96 $1.96
$3.54 $3.54
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.56 $8.56
$6.42 $6.42
$16.91 $16.91
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.84 $7.84
$4.48 $4.48
$13.44 $13.44
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.80 $14.80
$11.10 $11.10
$22.20 $22.20
Apples (1kg)
$5.51 $5.51
$2.05 $2.05
$11.31 $11.31
Banana (1kg)
$2.10 $2.10
$1.31 $1.31
$2.93 $2.93
Oranges (1kg)
$5.26 $5.26
$2.66 $2.66
$11.08 $11.08
Tomato (1kg)
$3.93 $3.93
$2.86 $2.86
$11.17 $11.17
Potato (1kg)
$3.00 $3.00
$1.54 $1.54
$8.95 $8.95
Onion (1kg)
$2.73 $2.73
$2.01 $2.01
$4.38 $4.38
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.47 $1.47
$0.98 $0.98
$2.95 $2.95
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.66 $1.66
$4.88 $4.88
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.91 $7.91
$6.63 $6.63
$11.22 $11.22
Wine (Bottle)
$12.15 $12.15
$10.13 $10.13
$22.28 $22.28
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.68 $1.68
$2.08 $2.08
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 $2.75
$1.95 $1.95
$3.89 $3.89
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.28 $1.28
$2.05 $2.05
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.90 $3.90
$3.90 $3.90
$3.90 $3.90
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.27 $1.27
$1.27 $1.27
$1.27 $1.27
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$59.0 $59.0
$59.0 $59.0
$59.0 $59.0
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 $0.79
$0.72 $0.72
$0.86 $0.86
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.2K $37.2K
$24.2K $24.2K
$47.4K $47.4K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K $24.9K
$24.9K $24.9K
$30.0K $30.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$136 $136
$98.3 $98.3
$192 $192
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.02 $44.02
$29.88 $29.88
$65.9 $65.9
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.1 $63.1
$25.24 $25.24
$111 $111
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.75 $45.75
$9.80 $9.80
$63.7 $63.7
Cinema Ticket
$11.81 $11.81
$10.82 $10.82
$17.72 $17.72
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$810 $810
$810 $810
$810 $810
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,848 $9,848
$9,848 $9,848
$9,848 $9,848
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.54 $35.54
$24.67 $24.67
$49.38 $49.38
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.76 $42.76
$35.21 $35.21
$50.3 $50.3
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$63.4 $63.4
$50.7 $50.7
$133 $133
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.0 $77.0
$63.9 $63.9
$118 $118
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,040 $1,040
$862 $862
$1,217 $1,217
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$768 $768
$644 $644
$892 $892
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,580 $2,580
$2,125 $2,125
$3,036 $3,036
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,913 $1,913
$1,611 $1,611
$2,215 $2,215
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,008 $2,008
$1,351 $1,351
$3,268 $3,268
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,808 $1,808
$1,338 $1,338
$2,696 $2,696
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,625 $3,625
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.61
6.19
15

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

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,040, dropping to $768 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 29% of the average salary ($3,625) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $3,625 – comfortably above monthly costs of $1,744. Most workers can save and live well. A comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $2,616.

Groceries cost around $331 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $39.00.

Cost Highlights

Cappuccino is cheaper than 93% of cities in North America

Three-course dinner for two, mid-range is cheaper than 91% of cities in North America

Monroe, LA Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Monroe, LA - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Monroe, LA overall, and who tends to find it good value for a stay or move?
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.
What does daily life look like here: housing search, food options, transport, co-working, and errands?
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.
What factors influence quality of life and budgeting here, and how can you tailor a plan to fit your pace and neighborhood?
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.
Is Monroe, LA worth the cost of living?
Monroe, LA is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $1,744. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
Is Monroe, LA expensive to live in?
Monroe, LA sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,744, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
What is the average salary in Monroe, LA?
After taxes, the average worker in Monroe, LA takes home about $3,625 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.
Is rent high in Monroe, LA?
Rent in Monroe, LA is middle-of-the-road – 1-bedroom apartments fall between $768 and $1,040 per month. Not cheap, not outrageous, with reasonable options across most neighborhoods.
How expensive is a gym membership in Monroe, LA?
Expect to pay about $45.75 per month for a gym in Monroe, LA – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
How much does childcare cost in Monroe, LA?
Private kindergarten in Monroe, LA costs about $810 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Monroe, LA?
$2,000 is below the $1,744 average in Monroe, LA, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Monroe, LA a good city for expats?
Monroe, LA has an established expat community and is welcoming to foreigners. fast internet, clean air, wellness scene smooth the transition, and English-speaking landlords, expat-focused healthcare, and international services are all reasonably accessible. Monthly costs average $1,744 including housing.
How affordable is Monroe, LA?
Monroe, LA is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,744, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

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