Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Louisiana and Ohio. Updated for 2026.
Louisiana and Ohio are evenly matched across major housing cost categories. Your decision may come down to other factors like job market, climate, or lifestyle preferences. Use the calculators below to model your specific scenario.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI.
Buying in Louisiana saves you approximately $137/month ($1,644/year) compared to Ohio, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Home prices in Louisiana and Ohio are relatively close, with only a 9% difference ($20K). At similar price points, your decision should focus on the other cost factors: property taxes, insurance, closing costs, and the overall quality of life each state offers. Small percentage differences in tax rates compound over decades of homeownership.
Property taxes are dramatically different: Louisiana charges 0.55% while Ohio charges 1.56%, a gap of 1.01 percentage points. On the respective median homes, this means Ohio homeowners pay roughly $3,354 per year in property taxes versus $1,073 in Louisiana. Over 30 years of homeownership, this difference alone can add up to six figures. Retirees on fixed incomes should weigh this heavily.
Homeowners insurance is significantly cheaper in Ohio ($1,400/year) compared to Louisiana ($3,500/year). That's an extra $2,100 per year — or $175/month — eating into your budget in Louisiana. Louisiana's high insurance costs are often driven by severe weather risks (hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires), which also affect availability of coverage.
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 Ohio's OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance offers 2.5% or 5% of purchase price. 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: property taxes are the defining difference here. Ohio's 1.56% rate versus Louisiana's 0.55% means Louisiana homeowners save approximately $2,282 every year on taxes alone. Over a 30-year mortgage, that difference compounds into tens of thousands of dollars — making it the most important cost factor in this comparison.