Performance
Score Breakdown
Slidell
Natchitoches
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Natchitoches is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
252% higher compared to Slidell.
Housing costs are a major driver: Slidell's average rent is
108% higher than Natchitoches's.
| Metric | Slidell | Natchitoches | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,384 | $664 | +108% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $206 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $100 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,340 | $664 | +252% |
| Cost Index | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Slidell offers 193% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Slidell | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $22,157 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $70,497 | $37,133 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Slidell | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Natchitoches has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Slidell.
For walkability, Natchitoches leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Slidell | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Slidell is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Natchitoches.
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 | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,561 | 17,577 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | % |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 26.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 5.60% |
| 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.
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.
Slidell
#62Louisiana, 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
Natchitoches
#123Louisiana, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$664
Avg Salary
$22,157
Cost Index
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
56
Business
60
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