A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
19%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 Sulphur Louisiana National
Cost of living9092100
Goods & Services98100100
Groceries9696100
Health care10293100
Housing8182100
Transportation10297100
Utilities7183100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Sulphur, LA

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Sulphur? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Sulphur stands at 90, making it 10% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Sulphur is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Sulphur Affordable?

Is Sulphur 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 Sulphur, for instance, where the median home price falls 22.7% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 11.1% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Sulphur flaunting a median household income of $80,761, 0.7% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Sulphur?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Sulphur, the standard sales tax rate starts at 4.45%, and the income tax rates commence at 1.85%.

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Sulphur, the transportation index is 1.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Sulphur, 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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Sulphur is 2% lower than the Louisiana average
  • The cost of living in Sulphur is 10% lower than the national average
  • Sulphur housing is 19% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana general sales tax is 13% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana state income tax is 29% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Sulphur

See all the best places to live around Sulphur

Compare Sulphur, LA Cost of Living

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      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$93,257$7,771$2,176$2,798
      Renters$63,334$5,278$1,478$1,900
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Sulphur, 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 Sulphur have a median income of $93,257. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,176 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $63,334, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,478.

      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 Sulphur National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.59$27.627.3%
      Beauty Salon $49.67$51.112.8%
      Toothpaste $4.04$4.091.3%
      Shampoo $1.48$1.544.0%
      Movie $13.50$12.884.8%
      Yoga $20.38$19.663.7%

      Groceries

      Item Sulphur National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.80$7.701.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.52$1.668.6%
      Milk $4.61$4.732.6%
      Potatoes $5.45$5.263.7%
      Pizza $12.82$12.760.4%
      Beer $9.93$10.555.9%

      Health Care

      Item Sulphur National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $155.49$140.0611.0%
      Doctor $97.03$153.8236.9%
      Dentist $145.30$123.1518.0%
      Ibuprofen $11.42$11.732.7%
      Lipitor $26.91$23.6114.0%

      Housing

      Item Sulphur National avg. Difference
      Home Price $252,624.00$326,622.0022.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,758.13$2,480.2529.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,283.00$1,444.0011.1%

      Transportation

      Item Sulphur National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.97$3.062.7%
      Tire Balancing $73.44$65.2112.6%

      Utilities

      Item Sulphur National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $112.75$220.1248.8%
      Phone $201.46$195.712.9%
      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.
      Gillis, LA6077426.0%
      Westlake, LA4,9588316.7%
      Vinton, LA3,4198415.9%
      Carlyss, LA5,3798812.4%
      Lake Charles, LA79,542928.2%
      Sulphur, LA20,888909.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Libertyville, IL20,90513838.4%
      Beaconsfield, QC20,868n/a 
      Lomita, CA20,90917069.8%
      Nogales, AZ20,919928.4%
      Pleasantville, NJ20,9271000.5%
      Sulphur, LA20,888909.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.