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Are you planning to study abroad and thinking about New Orleans? The city of New Orleans is in the state of Louisiana in the United States. New Orleans is considered as the largest city in Louisiana. It is also the 49th largest city in the U.S. This city was named after the French Duke of Orleans who was then the Regent of France. Explore this blog to learn more about New Orleans’s cost of housing, food, utilities, commutation, and much more.
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Why Choose New Orleans?
New Orleans is a vibrant city famous for its music and architecture. It is the birthplace of Jazz music. Apart from music, the city is famous for its cultural heritage, history, distinctive cuisine, Mardi Gras event, French Quarter, swamplands, and sports. All these things make the city an attractive destination for international students. As it is the largest city in Louisiana, it is home to many universities and colleges that cater to students from all over the world.
Regarding the cost of living, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA is affordable compared to other high-end cities like New York or San Francisco. Students from other countries could manage their expenses easily if they plan their budgets smartly.
Also Read: Tulane University
Cost of Living in New Orleans
The average cost of living in New Orleans, LA, USA for a student is approximately $2,011 per month excluding housing rent. It may range up to $3000-$4000 inclusive of rent and taxes. Following are the main costs that a person needs to pay for fulfilling their daily needs in New Orleans:
Accommodation Cost
As an international student in New Orleans, you would definitely seek an affordable property to live in. Some students prefer to live in student accommodation offered by the university itself. On an average students can get an accommodation between a range of $530 to $3000 per month. This huge difference is due to the fact that the type of accommodation and area would vary and you need to pay accordingly. It would be more economical if you would choose to live in shared apartments. If you wish to buy an apartment then, the cost of price per square meter in the city centre is approximately around $4305.56.
Following is the monthly rent of 1-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom apartments:
| Apartment | Monthly Rent |
| 3-bedroom apartment in the city | $1842.86 |
| 3-bedroom apartment in city | $3248.33 |
| 1-bedroom apartment in a city | $1083.27 |
| 3-bedroom apartment outside city | $2083.33 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Boston
Groceries Cost
The minimum amount of food cost for a person in New Orleans is around $14.78 per day. Given below is the list of some grocery items and their cost in New Orleans, Louisiana:
| Items | Price |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1.20 |
| 12 Eggs | $3.76 |
| White Bread (1 Loaf) | $3.70 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $16.03 |
| Chicken (1 kg) | $13.16 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $4.54 |
| Onion (1 kg) | $3.49 |
| Tomato (1 kg) | $5.47 |
| Potato (1 kg) | $4.22 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $2.05 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $3.47 |
| Banana (1 kg) | $1.91 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $5.51 |
| Drinking water (1.5 liters) | $1.92 |
Also Read: Tips for Cooking while Studying Abroad
Food Cost
Having a meal outside in any restaurant may cost a student a bit more compared to cooking their own food or eating at a university mess. So, you can manage the cost of living in New Orleans by cooking your food. Following is the cost of meals in restaurants in New Orleans:
| Food | Price |
| McMeal at McDonald’s | $11.00 |
| Meal at an affordable restaurant | $22.00 |
| Meal for 2 people at any middle-range restaurant | $85.00 |
| Cappuccino | $4.78 |
Also Read: Best Restaurants Near the University of Houston
Transportation Cost
The cost-effective and convenient way to travel in New Orleans is to utilize public commutation services. The ticket for one-way local transportation may cost you around $1.62.
Given below are some of the other modes of transportation and their respective fare:
| Transport | Fare |
| Monthly pass | $45.00 |
| Normal tariff for Taxi | $5.00 |
| Taxi fare for 1 km | $3.11 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $0.83 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan | $25110.00 |
| Volkswagen Golf | $32500.00 |
Also Read: Pre-departure Expenses to Study in USA
Utilities
Living in an entirely different country needs smart planning, especially for budgeting and managing expenses. Every month you need to take aside around $200 for the basic utilities. Here are some of the expenses that you would have to pay per month:
| Utility | Expenses |
| Internet bill (60 Mbps speed, unlimited data) | $70.81 |
| Basic bills of electricity, cooling, heating, garbage, and water | $181.62 |
| Monthly plan of mobile phone including calls and 10 GB data | $44.50 |
Personal Care Expense
Some products and their prices are listed below:
| Product | Price |
| Shampoo | $5.32 |
| Toothpaste | $1.83 |
| Toilet Paper | $4.40 |
| Cold medicine for 1 week | $8.20 |
| Tampons (32 pieces) | $7.00 |
Cost of Studying in New Orleans
The average cost of studying in New Orleans, Louisiana varies depending on the level of program a student is enrolled in. There are many universities and educational institutions in New Orleans which cater to students from different parts of the world. Owing to the city’s vibrant culture and nature it is one of the most attractive study destinations for many students. Fees for bachelor’s and master’s are given below:
| Course level | Course Level |
| Undergraduate | $13678 per semester |
| Graduate | $18000-$65000 per semester |
| PhD | $28531-$57590 per semester |
Also Read: Cost of Studying in USA
Tips to Manage Expenses in New Orleans
Here are some tips to manage your expenses:
- Create a budget
- Track the expenditure
- Prioritize the essential things
- Use public commutation
- Cook at home
- Make use of student discounts
- Shared expenses
- Limit non-essential entertainment expense
- Minimize impulsive purchases of products and services
- Utilize the campus resources
- Do part-time job
- Avoid credit card debt
FAQs
A. The average cost of living in New Orleans Louisiana is around $2011 per month excluding taxes, and a family of 4 can easily afford to live on $4273 without rent. New Orleans is much more affordable if compared to other US cities like New York and San Francisco.
A. For an international student, there are many internships and part-time work opportunities available in New Orleans. A person needs to earn approximately $60000 annually to live in New Orleans.
A. One must try to budget their expense. The cost of living in New Orleans varies from person to person depending upon their income and lifestyle. If an individual follows the rule of 50-30-20 for budgeting i.e. 50% spent on necessities, 30% for discretionary expenses, and the remaining 20% as saving, then, you could comfortably live in New Orleans. The minimum salary one must earn to spend a comfortable life in New Orleans is $60782 annually.
This was all about the Cost of Living in New Orleans. If you have further queries or need assistance with your study abroad journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts at Leverage Edu. We are here to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for you.
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