Best Cities for Data Scientists in Louisiana
Ranked by affordability — cost of living, rent, and net income on a $100,000 salary
Louisiana has 10 metro areas with full cost-of-living data. For data scientists earning around $100,000 annually, Monroe stands out as the most affordable option with a cost-of-living index of 43.9 and $70,178 left after taxes and rent. 10 cities in Louisiana sit below the national average cost of living, giving data scientists more purchasing power per dollar earned. Slidell-Mandeville-Covington is the priciest metro at 86.9 on the index, 43 points above Monroe.
City Rankings by Affordability
Full Comparison Table
| # | City | COL Index | 2BR Rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monroe | 43.9 | $1,026 |
| 2 | Alexandria | 56.1 | $994 |
| 3 | Lake Charles | 57.1 | $1,217 |
| 4 | Shreveport-Bossier City | 59.7 | $1,111 |
| 5 | Lafayette | 60.3 | $1,019 |
| 6 | Hammond | 62.4 | $1,099 |
| 7 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | 67.5 | $1,102 |
| 8 | Baton Rouge | 77.2 | $1,204 |
| 9 | New Orleans-Metairie | 77.8 | $1,331 |
| 10 | Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | 86.9 | $1,331 |
Net income = $100,000 salary − federal & Louisiana state taxes − annual 2BR rent. COL index: national avg = 100.
How We Rank Cities
Cities are ranked by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, where 100 equals the national average. A lower score means your money goes further. Net income is calculated using a benchmark $100,000 salary for data scientists who analyze data and build predictive models, after applying 2026 federal and Louisiana state income tax brackets and subtracting HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment. Purchasing power adjusts net income for local price levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable city in Louisiana for data scientists?
Monroe is the most affordable city in Louisiana for data scientists, with a cost-of-living index of 43.9 (national average = 100). On a $100,000 salary, you'd have approximately $70,178 after taxes and rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.
How much do data scientists earn in Louisiana?
Data Scientists in Louisiana earn around $100,000 per year on average. After federal and state taxes, and typical 2-bedroom rent costs (averaging $13,716 per year across the state), take-home spending money varies significantly by city—making location a critical factor.
How does cost of living vary across Louisiana cities?
Across 10 metro areas in Louisiana, the average cost-of-living index is 65 (national average = 100). The most affordable metro is Monroe at 43.9, while Slidell-Mandeville-Covington is the most expensive at 86.9—a difference of 43 index points.
Other Rankings in Louisiana
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