Cost of Living in Bossier City, LA
Updated November 2026 · Bossier Parish · Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metro area · population 62,901
Prices in Bossier City are 12.1% below the US average (local index 87.9; the BEA index for the Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metro area is 84.8), with local housing the biggest saving at 57.0; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,225 a month and the median rent is $1,107.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Bossier City's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metro area, unchanged.
Bossier City price index by category, US average = 100: All items 87.9, Housing (rents) 57.0, Goods 93.7, Utilities 72.6, Other services 95.7
It is the 6th most expensive of the 9 Louisiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 98% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.8 | 88.9 | 90.5 | 88.8 | 87.4 | 84.8 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Bossier City, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $692 | $8,304 | 31% |
| Utilities | $223 | $2,676 | 10% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 12% |
| Transportation | $552 | $6,624 | 25% |
| Health care | $336 | $4,032 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $158 | $1,896 | 7% |
| Total | $2,225 | $26,700 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Bossier City, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $850 | $10,200 | 23% |
| Utilities | $351 | $4,212 | 9% |
| Food at home | $488 | $5,856 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,093 | $13,116 | 29% |
| Health care | $623 | $7,476 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $311 | $3,732 | 8% |
| Total | $3,716 | $44,592 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Bossier City, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,077 | $12,924 | 23% |
| Utilities | $427 | $5,124 | 9% |
| Food at home | $696 | $8,352 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,453 | $17,436 | 31% |
| Health care | $581 | $6,972 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $400 | $4,800 | 9% |
| Total | $4,634 | $55,608 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Bossier City
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $879 |
| 1 bedroom | $876 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,075 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,363 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,300 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,107 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $875 |
| Median home value | $202,100 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,462/mo |
| Median household income | $55,819 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 31.1% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.6× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Louisiana
12.87¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +2.5% (from 12.55¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,211 kWh a month in Louisiana ≈ $158/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +44.8% (from $2.51) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Louisiana is covered by the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Bossier City are 12.1% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $68,300 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 87.9. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport, LA | 9 mi | 86.7 | $2,183 | $987 |
| Longview, TX | 64 mi | 90.4 | $2,344 | $1,101 |
| Tyler, TX | 97 mi | 92.1 | $2,426 | $1,252 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branson, MO | 87.8 | $2,352 | $961 |
| Guntersville, AL | 87.9 | $2,131 | $842 |
| Lawton, OK | 87.9 | $2,096 | $967 |
| Dothan, AL | 87.9 | $2,101 | $960 |
| Youngstown, OH | 88.0 | $1,999 | $728 |
| Grand Island, NE | 88.0 | $2,169 | $947 |
Compare Bossier City with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Bossier City, LA an expensive place to live?
Bossier City has a local cost of living index of 87.9, which is 12.1% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metro area (84.8) and adjusts housing to Bossier City's own rents. It is 0.4 points below the Louisiana average. It is the 6th most expensive of the 9 Louisiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 98% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Bossier City?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,225 for a single adult, $3,716 for a couple and $4,634 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $52,700 in Bossier City.
What is the average rent in Bossier City?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,107 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $876, 2 bedrooms $1,075, 3 bedrooms $1,363. The typical renter spends 31.1% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Bossier City?
The median owner-estimated home value is $202,100, 3.6 times the median household income of $55,819 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,462 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Bossier City?
Louisiana residential electricity averaged 12.87¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.64 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Shreveport-Bossier City, LA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 84.8) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 2208920 (Bossier City city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Louisiana residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources