Bogalusa, LA vs Ruston, LA

Bogalusa is moderately more affordable than Ruston, with a 13.6% lower cost of living index. Bogalusa scores 63 compared to 73 for Ruston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ruston can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Bogalusa is $710/month compared to $819/month in Ruston — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bogalusa is more affordable at $107,000 median vs $226,700.

Median household income in Bogalusa is $37,846 compared to $32,765 in Ruston (+15.5%). Bogalusa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Bogalusa spend roughly 22.5% of their income on rent, less than the 30% in Ruston.