Chalmette, LA vs Opelousas, LA

The cost of living difference between Chalmette, LA and Opelousas, LA is dramatic. Opelousas is 30.5% cheaper than Chalmette, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chalmette has a cost index of 82 while Opelousas sits at 63, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Chalmette is $1,089/month compared to $734/month in Opelousas — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Opelousas is more affordable at $113,000 median vs $203,800.

Median household income in Chalmette is $56,875 compared to $36,260 in Opelousas (+56.9%). While Chalmette is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chalmette spend roughly 23% of their income on rent, less than the 24.3% in Opelousas.