Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Louisiana and Texas. 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 Texas. 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.
The monthly payment difference is $1,098/month — that’s $13,176/year or $395K over the life of a 30-year loan. Buying in Louisiana is the more affordable option based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
Based on the 28% debt-to-income rule — your monthly housing payment should not exceed 28% of gross monthly income.
To afford the median home in Texas, you need a household income of approximately $114K/year. In Louisiana, you need $67K/year — less by $47K/year. That $47K income gap means Louisiana is accessible to a significantly wider range of households.
Louisiana offers meaningfully lower home prices than Texas, with median prices running 37% less ($115K difference). This gap translates to both a smaller loan and lower monthly payments. First-time buyers priced out of Texas may find Louisiana far more accessible, particularly when combined with local down payment assistance programs.
Property taxes are dramatically different: Louisiana charges 0.55% while Texas charges 1.8%, a gap of 1.25 percentage points. On the respective median homes, this means Texas homeowners pay roughly $5,580 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.
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 Texas's TDHCA My First Texas Home offers Up to 5% DPA grant. 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 $115K less than Texas on average. That translates to roughly $1,098 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.