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 105, 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 91.
The standard of living in Central ranks as #89 most affordable out of the 103 places we measured in Louisiana. By definition, that implies Central ranks as the #14 most expensive place in the Pelican State.
For more reading on life in Central, check out:
Central Cost Of Living Vs. Louisiana
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Central. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Central is 101.
The Groceries index in Central is 95.
The Health index in Central is 125.
The Housing index in Central is 97.
The Transportation index in Central is 104.
The Utilities index in Central is 98.
| Living Expense | Central | Louisiana | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 105 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 101 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Health | 125 | 82 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 96 | 100 |
Central Cost Of Living Compared To Louisiana Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Louisiana, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Central Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Central is $282,212.
The Median Rent in Central is $1,309.
The Median Income in Central is $89,554.
The Home Value To Income in Central is 3.2x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Central is 0.18x.
Central, LA Costs By Category
Detailed Central Services costs vs. Louisiana
Detailed Central Groceries costs vs. Louisiana
Detailed Central Health costs vs. Louisiana
Detailed Central Transportation costs vs. Louisiana
Central SnackAbility
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 139, 1.3x Central.
Golden, CO has a cost of living index of 154, 1.5x Central.
Fairmount, CO has a cost of living index of 157, 1.5x Central.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Central |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arvada, CO | 122,634 | 139 | 1.3x |
| Golden, CO | 20,417 | 154 | 1.5x |
| Fairmount, CO | 9,902 | 157 | 1.5x |
| Evergreen, CO | 8,602 | 152 | 1.4x |
| Applewood, CO | 8,350 | 153 | 1.5x |
