Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for Ruston, Louisiana.
Median Home Price
$175K
Population
22K
Avg Monthly Rent
$880
Property Tax Rate
0.55% *
* Property tax shown is the Louisiana state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in Ruston.
Ruston vs Louisiana Median
The median home price in Ruston is $175,000, which is 10% below the Louisiana state median of $195,000.
Mortgage Calculator — Ruston, LA
Pre-filled with Ruston median home price and Louisiana tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $175K home using Louisiana's 0.55% tax rate and $3,500/yr insurance.
5% Down
$1,520/mo
Down: $8,750
Loan: $166K
P&I: $1,051
Tax: $80
Insurance: $292
PMI: $97
10% Down
$1,459/mo
Down: $17,500
Loan: $158K
P&I: $996
Tax: $80
Insurance: $292
PMI: $92
20% Down (No PMI)
$1,257/mo
Down: $35,000
Loan: $140K
P&I: $885
Tax: $80
Insurance: $292
Income needed (28% rule): $54K/year with 20% down, $63K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in Ruston
Rent
$880/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$1,459/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 16.6 — A ratio between 15-20 means the rent vs buy decision in Ruston depends heavily on your timeline. If you plan to stay 5+ years, buying likely wins. For shorter stays, renting preserves flexibility.
The median home price in Ruston is $175,000, 10% below the Louisiana state median of $195,000. With a population of 22,188, Ruston is a smaller market where home prices tend to be more accessible than in many parts of Louisiana.
Property taxes in Louisiana average 0.55% annually. This low property tax rate is a significant advantage for Ruston buyers, keeping your monthly costs well below what you'd pay in higher-tax states. Homeowners insurance in Louisiana runs approximately $3,500 per year. Insurance costs are notably high — factor this into your monthly budget.
Average rent in Ruston is $880/month. The price-to-rent ratio in Ruston is moderate, meaning the buy-vs-rent decision depends heavily on how long you plan to stay.
Ruston offers strong affordability. With median prices under $250K, first-time buyers have realistic paths to homeownership, especially combined with Louisiana's LHC Mortgage Revenue Bond program.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Ruston.