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City Housing Verdict

Sulphur, LA

Manageable

Your dollar goes further in Sulphur, LA — everyday costs run about 23% below the national average (Cost Index: 77). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $175,200, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $58,044 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Sulphur looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 21% rent burden, 3x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 58. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

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

Monthly Housing
$1,015/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
21%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$3,322/mo
After housing and debt · $1,107/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 31%
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Cost Index
77
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$175,200
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,015/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$58,044
National: $78,538
Population
21,004
Purchasing Power
96
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
58 / 100
42% below average
Rent Index
75 / 100
25% below average
Goods & Groceries
94 / 100
6% cheaper than average
Utilities
72 / 100
28% lower utility bills
Healthcare & Services
96 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
77
Affordable · 23% below average

Sulphur Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $175,200 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
$58,044
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
21%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
3x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Sulphur 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 Sulphur, LA

Est. Annual Property Tax
$964
Monthly Impact
$80
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 Sulphur 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.

Sulphur, LA
77
75
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Sulphur, LA: 58
Rent Prices
75

FAQ: Living in Sulphur

Is Sulphur, LA an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Sulphur run about 23% below the US average (Cost Index: 77). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $175,200, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,015, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Sulphur fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,015, while local median household income is $58,044. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 21% 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 Sulphur, 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 $175,200, that translates to roughly $964 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 9.55% on everyday purchases.

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

The typical monthly rent in Sulphur is around $1,015. That's roughly 25% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $175,200, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

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

The median home in Sulphur is valued at $175,200. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $886/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 73% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Sulphur?+

Grocery prices in Sulphur 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: 72). Both help keep your monthly expenses lower than in many parts of the country.

What is Sulphur, LA like to live in?+

Sulphur is a small town with a population of about 21,004. The median age of residents is 39.3, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 17.18%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Louisiana

If Sulphur 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 Sulphur 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