Central, LA Cost Of Living

Demographics | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Central, LA Summary

Cost of living in Central research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Central is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Louisiana, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Central is 106, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Central is 1.1x higher than the national average.

  • Central ranks as the #94 cheapest in Louisiana out of 106.

  • Central ranks as the #3,278 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Central is $272,294.

  • The median income in Central is $90,091.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
106
Central's Overall Cost Of Living
1.1x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Central, LA?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Central has an overall cost of living index of 106, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Louisiana, Central has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than Louisiana's index of 90.

The standard of living in Central ranks as #94 most affordable out of the 106 places we measured in Louisiana. By definition, that implies Central ranks as the #12 most expensive place in the Pelican State.

For more reading on life in Central, check out:

94 out of 106
In Louisiana
3,278 out of 6,489
In America

Central Cost Of Living Vs. Louisiana

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Central. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Central is 105.

  • The Groceries index in Central is 99.

  • The Health index in Central is 100.

  • The Housing index in Central is 122.

  • The Transportation index in Central is 97.

  • The Utilities index in Central is 74.

Living Expense Central Louisiana National Average
Overall 106 90 100
Services 105 94 100
Groceries 99 93 100
Health 100 100 100
Housing 122 80 100
Transportation 97 94 100
Utilities 74 83 100
For more reading on cost of living around Louisiana, check out:
Central Cost of Living Vs. LA

Central, LA Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Louisiana, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Central is $272,294.

  • The Median Rent in Central is $1,373.

  • The Median Income in Central is $90,091.

  • The Home Value To Income in Central is 3.0x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Central is 0.18x.

Statistic Central Louisiana United States
Median Home Value $272,294 $209,929 $303,400
Median Rent $1,373 $1,038 $1,348
Median Income $90,091 $60,023 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.0x 3.5x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.18x 0.21x 0.21x
$272,294
Median Home Value
$1,373
Median Rent
$90,091
Median Income

Central, LA Costs By Category

Detailed Central Services Costs Vs. Louisiana

Item Central Louisiana
Shampoo $1.17 $1.28
Movie $11.59 $12.13
Bowling $20.0 $18
Haircut $25.61 $24.26
Beauty Salon $43.33 $45.56

Detailed Central Groceries Costs Vs. Louisiana

Item Central Louisiana
Ground Beef $5.45 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.67 $1.57
Milk $4.56 $4.67
Potatoes $5.2 $4.93
Pizza $10.99 $12.09
Beer $10.03 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.63 $3.7

Detailed Central Health Costs Vs. Louisiana

Item Central Louisiana
Optometrist $114.13 $125.68
Doctor $130.33 $135.78
Dentist $114.58 $113.29

Detailed Central Transportation Costs Vs. Louisiana

Item Central Louisiana
Gasoline $3.2 $3.46
Tire Balancing $61.61 $59.92

Detailed Central Utilities Costs Vs. Louisiana

Item Central Louisiana
All Electricity $111.88 $193.99
Phone $185.7 $192.25

Central SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
9/10
Housing
8
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
7
Safety
N/A
Amenities
8
Education
8
Commute
5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Central

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Central. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Arvada, CO has a cost of living index of 133, 1.3x Central.

  • Golden, CO has a cost of living index of 144, 1.4x Central.

  • Fairmount, CO has a cost of living index of 152, 1.4x Central.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Central
Arvada, CO 122,835 133 1.3x
Golden, CO 20,467 144 1.4x
Fairmount, CO 10,521 152 1.4x
Evergreen, CO 8,643 145 1.4x
Applewood, CO 8,120 153 1.4x

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