Cost of Living in Merrydale, LA: Rent, Income & Home Prices

ExpensiveRent takes 37 cents of every $1 people earn here.

🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,37921% lower than U.S. average

💵 Families earn per year (2026)$44,758about $3,730/month · 49% lower than U.S. average

🔑 House price$136,10059% lower than U.S. average

Rent is lower than in 64% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.0 years of household income.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $55,160 a year. That is $27 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 73 of 102 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Merrydale

$1,379

$1,085

$662

$1,067

$1,286

$1,079

$883

How much do households earn in Merrydale?

Under $25k

26.0%

$25k–50k

28.1%

$50k–100k

21.5%

$100k–150k

4.4%

$150k+

5.5%

Share of households by yearly income. 9.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Merrydale

Size	Merrydale	U.S. average
1 bedroom	$342	$1,324
2 bedrooms	$1,015	$1,509
3 bedrooms	$1,418	$1,698

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is Merrydale overall?

Everyday prices in Louisiana overall are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.2, U.S. = 100).

Housing

Goods (food, clothes…)

Utilities

Other services

U.S. average

100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Merrydale, so the Louisiana figure is shown.

Taxes and bills in Merrydale

⚡ Electric bill$199a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Merrydale

Commute to work26.7 minU.S.: 26.4 min

College degree16.9%U.S.: 35.7%

Own their home73.7%U.S.: 65.2%

Below poverty line30%U.S.: 12.5%

Unemployment19.5%U.S.: 5.2%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Merrydale?

Buying is cheaper month to month: about $435 a month less than renting.

Renting

$1,379

Owning

$944

Owning assumes a typical $136,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $13,610 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Merrydale, LA?

Renting in Merrydale costs a median of about $1,379 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Louisiana median is $1,165.

How much do I need to make to live in Merrydale?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $55,160 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Merrydale cheap or expensive?

Merrydale is rated Expensive: rent takes 37.0% of the typical household income of $44,758. It ranks 73rd cheapest of 102 Louisiana cities we track.

Is Merrydale 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 Merrydale?

The median home value in Merrydale is $136,100, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.

9,490 people live in Merrydale. Numbers are typical (middle) values.

Is Merrydale, LA expensive to live in?