salaryRent is lower than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most homes (88.8%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $55,080 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Louisiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Louisiana. It is number 71 of 102 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Central?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Central
| Size | Central | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,325 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,071 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,504 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Central overall?
Everyday prices in Louisiana overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Central, so the Louisiana figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Central
Life in Central
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Central?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $626 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $288,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $28,870 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Central, LA?
Renting in Central costs a median of about $1,377 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Louisiana median is $1,165.
How much do I need to make to live in Central?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $55,080 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Central cheap or expensive?
Central is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.1% of the typical household income of $96,584. It ranks 71st cheapest of 102 Louisiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Central?
The median homeowner in Central pays $1,868 a year in property taxes, about 0.65% of the median home value.
Is Central more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Louisiana are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Central?
The median home value in Central is $288,700, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
29,783 people live in Central. Numbers are typical (middle) values.