
Here’s How Much You Need to Earn to Live Comfortably in Louisiana
LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - There’s no denying it—economic challenges persist, and the financial outlook remains uncertain.
With sluggish GDP growth, stubborn inflation, and persistently high grocery prices, many Americans are feeling the pinch. Savings accounts are shrinking, and credit card debt is rising as more people rely on borrowed money to cover everyday essentials.

However, amid this financial strain, Louisiana remains a relatively affordable place to live compared to other parts of the country. Unlike larger metropolitan areas where housing and daily expenses can skyrocket, Louisiana’s cities and towns offer a more budget-friendly lifestyle. Lower costs for rent, utilities, and basic goods provide some relief for residents looking to stretch their dollars.
But even in Louisiana, making ends meet is no easy task. The big question remains—how much do you really need to earn to live comfortably here? The answer might surprise you.
Achieving a “living wage” means earning enough to cover essential needs like housing, food, healthcare, and transportation without financial stress. While Louisiana’s lower cost of living can make things a bit easier, the reality is that many residents still struggle to stay ahead financially.
Ultimately, living comfortably in Louisiana requires more than just a paycheck—it takes careful budgeting, strategic planning, and a solid understanding of financial priorities to navigate today’s economic challenges.
What is a "Living Wage"
A living wage is the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs, maintain a decent standard of living, and provide for the well-being of themselves and their family. The concept of a living wage goes beyond the minimum wage, which is often set by governments and may not always be sufficient to cover the cost of living.
The idea behind a living wage is to ensure that individuals and families can afford the essentials such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and education. It takes into account factors such as local costs of living and can vary from one region to another. A living wage is designed to provide economic security and prevent workers from falling into poverty.
Advocates for a living wage argue that it not only benefits individual workers and their families but also contributes to a more stable and equitable society by reducing poverty and income inequality. Critics, however, often express concerns about potential negative effects on businesses, particularly small businesses, which may face increased labor costs.
In many places, discussions and movements advocating for a living wage have gained momentum, leading to changes in minimum wage laws and increased attention to the broader issue of income inequality.
GoBankingRates set out to find how much a single person has to earn to get by in each state. Their researchers used the latest available Consumer Expenditure Survey data for a single person from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate the annual cost of necessities.
That annual cost was based on data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s 2023 Q1 Cost of Living Data Series.
Louisiana is No. 17 in the nation when it comes to minimum living wage, with a single person needing to make $50,087 a year minimum to get by.
Lowest Minimum Living Wages in the U.S.
1 | Mississippi | $45,906 |
2 | Oklahoma | $46,024 |
3 | Alabama | $46,577 |
4 | Arkansas | $47,111 |
5 | Kentucky | $47,318 |
6 | Kansas | $47,379 |
7 | West Virginia | $47,732 |
8 | Missouri | $47,771 |
9 | Iowa | $48,518 |
10 | Tennessee | $48,774 |

The highest minimum living wage, however, is Hawaii, where you'd need $112,411 a year to meet all your basic needs.
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