A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
33%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Minden Louisiana National
Cost of living8891100
Goods & Services9996100
Groceries9995100
Health care10399100
Housing6781100
Transportation9796100
Utilities8584100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Minden, LA

The cost of living in Minden affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Minden is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Is Minden Affordable?

Is Minden affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Minden, for instance, where the median home price falls 39.2% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 18.4% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Minden flaunting a median household income of $26,653, 51.8% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Minden?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Minden, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 4.45%, and income tax rates start at 1.85%.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Minden comes in at 15% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Minden, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Minden is 3% lower than the Louisiana average
  • The cost of living in Minden is 12% lower than the national average
  • Minden housing is 33% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana general sales tax is 13% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana state income tax is 18% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Minden

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Compare Minden, LA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$45,714$3,810$1,067$1,372
      Renters$22,044$1,837$514$661
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Minden, LA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Minden have a median income of $45,714. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,067 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $22,044, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $514.

      Louisiana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Louisiana 4.45% 11.45%

      Louisiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Louisiana 1.85% 4.25%

      Goods & Services

      Item Minden National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.94$24.2613.7%
      Beauty Salon $41.39$45.569.2%
      Toothpaste $3.19$3.7013.8%
      Shampoo $1.13$1.2811.5%
      Movie $13.40$12.1310.5%
      Bowling $13.33$18.0025.9%

      Groceries

      Item Minden National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.18$5.845.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.53$4.673.1%
      Potatoes $5.08$4.932.9%
      Pizza $9.90$12.0918.1%
      Beer $9.71$10.416.7%

      Health Care

      Item Minden National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $135.11$125.687.5%
      Doctor $90.67$135.7833.2%
      Dentist $154.50$113.2936.4%
      Ibuprofen $9.57$10.6510.1%
      Lipitor $498.43$468.606.4%

      Housing

      Item Minden National avg. Difference
      Home Price $112,300.00$184,700.0039.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,083.19$2,346.6911.2%
      Apartment Rent $774.00$949.0018.4%

      Transportation

      Item Minden National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.10$3.4610.4%
      Tire Balancing $67.93$59.9213.4%

      Utilities

      Item Minden National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $164.18$193.9915.4%
      Phone $186.90$192.252.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cotton Valley, LA9627524.6%
      Gibsland, LA6497920.6%
      Dixie Inn, LA2748020.1%
      Homer, LA2,8758119.0%
      Doyline, LA7388217.9%
      Minden, LA12,0358812.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Neosho, MO12,0368416.2%
      North Merrick, NY12,03716766.5%
      Red Bank, NJ12,03914444.5%
      Oak Grove, SC12,040955.4%
      Greatwood, TX12,04012221.7%
      Minden, LA12,0358812.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.