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City Housing Verdict

Harvey, LA

High Pressure

Your dollar goes further in Harvey, LA — everyday costs run about 16% below the national average (Cost Index: 84). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $223,981, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $43,524 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Harvey already reads as a high-pressure housing market, with 33% rent burden, 5.1x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 74. Treat this page as a stress test for rent, mortgage, and tax burden before assuming the move works.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Stretch

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Harvey.

Monthly Housing
$1,196/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
33%
Stretch
Residual Cash
$1,931/mo
After housing and debt · $644/person
Rent vs Buy
Renting is the lower-pressure baseline
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 47%
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Cost Index
84
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$223,981
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $189,700
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,196/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$43,524
National: $78,538
Population
21,710
Purchasing Power
66
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
74 / 100
26% below average
Rent Index
89 / 100
11% below average
Goods & Groceries
94 / 100
6% cheaper than average
Utilities
71 / 100
29% lower utility bills
Healthcare & Services
96 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
84
Affordable · 16% below average

Harvey Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $223,981 and Louisiana's property tax rate of 0.55%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$43,524
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
33%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
5.1x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Harvey looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Harvey, LA

Est. Annual Property Tax
$1,232
Monthly Impact
$103
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.55%
National avg: ~1.00%

Louisiana Place Tax Context

Tax TypeLouisianaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.55%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate4.25%~5.0%
State Sales Tax9.55%~5.0%

Compare Harvey to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Harvey, LA
84
89
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Harvey, LA: 74
Rent Prices
89

FAQ: Living in Harvey

Is Harvey, LA an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Harvey run about 16% below the US average (Cost Index: 84). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $223,981, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,196, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Harvey fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,196, while local median household income is $43,524. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 33% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Harvey, LA?+

Louisiana has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 4.25%. The effective property tax rate is 0.55%. On a home worth $223,981, that translates to roughly $1,232 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 9.55% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Harvey, LA?+

The typical monthly rent in Harvey is around $1,196. That's roughly 11% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $223,981, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Harvey, LA?+

The median home in Harvey is valued at $223,981. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,133/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 52% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Harvey?+

Grocery prices in Harvey are more affordable compared to the rest of the US (index: 94, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 71). Both help keep your monthly expenses lower than in many parts of the country.

What is Harvey, LA like to live in?+

Harvey is a small town with a population of about 21,710. The median age of residents is 37.4, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 27.32%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Louisiana

If Harvey feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Louisiana

Use these city pages when you want to compare Harvey against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly