salaryRent is lower than in 83% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.7 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 15.1 minutes. Most households rent (64%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $43,400 a year. That is $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Louisiana cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Louisiana. It is number 38 of 102 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ruston?
Share of households by yearly income. 11.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ruston
| Size | Ruston | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $755 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $690 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $812 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,252 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,679 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ruston 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 Ruston, so the Louisiana figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Ruston
Life in Ruston
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ruston?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $478 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $225,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,530 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ruston, LA?
Renting in Ruston costs a median of about $1,085 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Louisiana median is $1,165.
How much do I need to make to live in Ruston?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $43,400 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ruston cheap or expensive?
Ruston is rated Expensive: rent takes 38.8% of the typical household income of $33,563. It ranks 38th cheapest of 102 Louisiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ruston?
The median homeowner in Ruston pays $1,110 a year in property taxes, about 0.49% of the median home value.
Is Ruston 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 Ruston?
The median home value in Ruston is $225,300, about 6.7 times the typical yearly household income.
22,284 people live in Ruston. Numbers are typical (middle) values.