Performance
Score Breakdown
Slidell
Alexandria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alexandria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% higher compared to Slidell.
Housing costs are a major driver: Slidell's average rent is
42% higher than Alexandria's.
| Metric | Slidell | Alexandria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,384 | $974 | +42% |
| Groceries | $400 | $395 | +1% |
| Utilities | $206 | $226 | -9% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,340 | $1,935 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Slidell offers 30% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Slidell delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Slidell is estimated at
$55,000 vs $38,952 in Alexandria.
| Metric | Slidell | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $50,107 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $38,952 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 54,464 idx |
| Household Income | $70,497 | $47,113 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Slidell | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alexandria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Slidell.
Slidell scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Slidell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Slidell | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alexandria is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Slidell.
From a growth perspective, Slidell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Slidell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Slidell | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,561 | 44,060 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | % |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Slidell
Advantages
Cost of living is 5.2% lower than the national average, with housing being 10.8% less expensive.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national average, offering affordable housing options.
The city offers a good quality of life with a suburban feel, access to amenities, and community events.
Healthcare facilities, including Slidell Memorial Hospital and Ochsner Health centers, provide comprehensive medical services.
Slidell has a relatively low violent crime rate, with some sources indicating it is lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Walkability and transit scores are low, indicating a high dependency on personal vehicles for transportation.
Crime rates, particularly property crime, are near or slightly above the national average according to some reports.
The job market experienced a slight employment decline in recent years, though broader regional growth exists.
Humidity levels are high, typical of the Gulf Coast region, which can impact comfort during warmer months.
Public transit options are limited, making car ownership almost essential for daily life.
Alexandria
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Alexandria is 8% lower than the national average, primarily due to significantly lower housing expenses.
Housing costs are 26% lower than the national average, with a median home price of $175,000 in May 2026.
The average commute time is relatively short at 17.4 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Alexandria is a regional healthcare hub with at least four major hospitals, and healthcare costs are 11% lower than the national average.
The city's economy is diverse, with a 3.32% job growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Drawbacks
Alexandria has a very high violent crime rate, 671% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's population is projected to decline by 1.3% annually, indicating a negative growth trend.
Summers are consistently hot, humid, and often described as oppressive.
A significant portion of the population, 27%, lives below the poverty line as of 2024.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 77.7% of residents driving alone to work.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Slidell
#66Louisiana, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,384
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
Alexandria
#128Louisiana, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$974
Avg Salary
$50,107
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
50
Business
60
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