Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Louisiana and Pennsylvania. Updated for 2026.
Louisiana wins 5 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $195K and lower overall costs, Louisiana offers meaningful savings compared to Pennsylvania. 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 $569/month ($6,828/year) compared to Pennsylvania, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Louisiana offers meaningfully lower home prices than Pennsylvania, with median prices running 30% less ($85K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's 1.36%. While the rate gap of 0.81% may seem small, it translates to an annual difference of approximately $2,736 when applied to each state's median home price. Over a typical homeownership period of 7-10 years, that adds up to $22K in savings.
Homeowners insurance is significantly cheaper in Pennsylvania ($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 Pennsylvania's PHFA Keystone Advantage offers Up to $6,000 DPA. 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 homes cost $85K less than Pennsylvania on average. That translates to roughly $569 less per month in total housing costs if you choose Louisiana. For most buyers, this price gap is the single biggest factor — it affects your loan size, monthly payment, and how quickly you build equity.