City Comparison
Kenner vs Natchitoches
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kenner scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kenner
Natchitoches
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Natchitoches is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
66% lower than in Kenner.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kenner's average rent is
58% higher than Natchitoches's.
| Metric | Kenner | Natchitoches | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,048 | $664 | +58% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,978 | $664 | +198% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kenner offers 180% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Kenner | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $22,157 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $64,020 | $37,133 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kenner runs warmer on average — a 71.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kenner comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kenner sees 4.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kenner | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 53.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Natchitoches has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Kenner.
Kenner scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kenner leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kenner | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kenner is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Natchitoches.
From a growth perspective, Kenner is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kenner has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kenner | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,904 | 17,577 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 26.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kenner
Advantages
Median home property values and average rents remain significantly lower than the national average, offering high housing affordability.
Strategic location adjacent to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and major transit corridors like I-10.
Abundant outdoor recreational amenities along Lake Pontchartrain, including the popular Laketown park and boat launch areas.
Rich cultural diversity and community heritage highlighted by historic Rivertown museums and local cuisine.
Active local economic development support from municipal and parish partnerships fostering small business growth.
Drawbacks
Vulnerability to severe weather events and tropical storms inherent to the South Louisiana geographic region.
Property insurance and automotive maintenance costs can run higher than national norms due to regional risk factors.
Certain commercial corridors experience heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours toward New Orleans.
Modest population decline trends over recent years reflect broader regional migration patterns in parts of the state.
Limited high-capacity public transit options make car ownership a practical necessity for daily commuting.
Natchitoches
Advantages
Natchitoches boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, being the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.
The average commute time of 16.2 minutes is significantly shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience.
The cost of living, particularly median rent at $664 per month, is relatively low, enhancing affordability.
The city is home to Northwestern State University, contributing to a vibrant, youthful demographic and educational opportunities.
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare services and is actively working to improve patient satisfaction and quality of care.
Drawbacks
Natchitoches has a high crime rate, with total crime being 149% higher than the national average and a violent crime rate of 891.1 per 100,000 residents.
The city's livability score is 56/100, ranking it low compared to other U.S. cities.
Public transportation is limited, leading to high car dependency for residents.
The median household income of $37,133 in 2024 is considerably lower than the national average.
Summers are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kenner
#283Louisiana, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,048
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
71.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
68
Natchitoches
#494Louisiana, USA
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$664
Avg Salary
$22,157
Cost Index
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
56
Business
60
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