Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Louisiana and North Dakota. Updated for 2026.
North Dakota wins 3 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. However, Louisiana has a lower total cost when combining home price, closing costs, and insurance. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
Buying in Louisiana saves you approximately $366/month ($4,392/year) compared to North Dakota, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Louisiana offers meaningfully lower home prices than North Dakota, with median prices running 24% less ($60K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of North Dakota may find Louisiana far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Louisiana has a moderate property tax advantage at 0.55% versus North Dakota's 0.98%. While the rate gap of 0.43% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $1,426 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $11K in savings.
Insurance costs favor North Dakota at $2,100/year versus $3,500/year in Louisiana, a difference of $1,400 annually. While not the largest cost factor, this adds up to over $14K over a decade of homeownership. Shop multiple carriers in either state — actual premiums depend on your specific property, coverage level, and claims history.
Both states offer down payment assistance for first-time buyers. Louisiana's LHC Mortgage Revenue Bond provides Up to $10,000 soft second loan, while North Dakota's NDHFA FirstHome offers DCA up to $14,000. These programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs and make homeownership accessible even if you haven't saved a full 20% down payment. Check eligibility requirements on each state's housing finance agency website — income limits and purchase price caps apply.
The bottom line: Louisiana and North Dakota are broadly similar in housing costs, with only $366/month separating them in total PITI payments. In cases like this, your decision should be driven by lifestyle preferences — job opportunities, climate, proximity to family, and quality of life — rather than pure cost savings. Either state offers a reasonable path to homeownership.