Covington, LA vs Jena, LA

The cost of living difference between Covington, LA and Jena, LA is dramatic. Jena is 36.4% cheaper than Covington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Covington has a cost index of 98 while Jena sits at 72, 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 Covington is $1,374/month compared to $922/month in Jena — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jena is more affordable at $157,900 median vs $292,500.

Median household income in Covington is $73,809 compared to $85,955 in Jena (-14.1%). Jena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Covington spend roughly 22.3% of their income on rent, more than the 12.9% in Jena.