Bastrop, LA vs Ruston, LA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bastrop is 15.6% cheaper than Ruston. With a cost index of 61 vs 73, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bastrop to Ruston should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bastrop is $828/month compared to $819/month in Ruston — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ruston has cheaper rent, Bastrop actually has lower median home values ($85,400 vs $226,700).

Median household income in Bastrop is $30,069 compared to $32,765 in Ruston (-8.2%). The higher salaries in Ruston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bastrop spend roughly 33% of their income on rent, more than the 30% in Ruston. The Ruston ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.