The Real Numbers in Louisiana
The median home price in Louisiana is $218,000. With a 20% down payment and a 6.9% mortgage rate, your monthly PITI payment comes to $1,399/month — including principal, interest, property taxes (0.55% avg.), and insurance.
To qualify under standard bank underwriting (28% front-end DTI), you need a gross annual income of at least $60,000. Louisiana's median household income is approximately $53,000/year, giving the state a price-to-income ratio of 4.1×.
At 4.1×, Louisiana is one of the more affordable states in the country — most buyers earning the median income can qualify for the median home.
Median Home Price (Louisiana)$218,000
20% Down Payment$43,600
3.5% FHA Down Payment$7,630
Monthly P&I Payment$1,149/mo
Property Tax (est. 0.55%/yr)$100/mo
Home Insurance (est.)$150/mo
Total PITI Payment$1,399/mo
Salary Needed (28% DTI)$60K+/year
Price-to-Income Ratio4.1× median income
FRC Market DemandCOLD
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A 620 vs 740 credit score on a $218,000 Louisiana home costs $73,248 more over 30 years.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What salary do I need to buy a house in Louisiana in 2026?
To afford the median Louisiana home ($218,000) with a 20% down payment and 28% front-end DTI ratio, you need at least $60,000/year in gross income. If you have existing debt (car payments, student loans), you may need more.
What is the average home price in Louisiana?
The median home price in Louisiana is approximately $218,000 as of 2026, based on NAR and Zillow Research data. Prices vary significantly by city and region within the state.
Is Louisiana a good state to buy a home in 2026?
Louisiana currently shows COLD buyer demand based on FRC listing analysis. With COLD demand, buyers have strong negotiating leverage — sellers are motivated and homes are sitting longer. The price-to-income ratio of 4.1× suggests strong affordability relative to the national average.
What is the down payment for a house in Louisiana?
For the median Louisiana home: 20% conventional down payment = $43,600. FHA minimum 3.5% = $7,630. FHA requires a minimum 580 credit score. Conventional loans typically require 620+.
📋 Data Sources: Median home prices from NAR & Zillow Research. Property tax rates from Tax Foundation. Income data from US Census Bureau ACS. Mortgage rates from Freddie Mac PMMS. All data updated 2026. Educational use only — not financial advice. Learn more →