Performance
Score Breakdown
Slidell
Zachary
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Slidell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% lower compared to Zachary.
| Metric | Slidell | Zachary | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,384 | $1,500 | -8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $206 | $180 | +14% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,340 | $2,500 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Slidell offers similar 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 $55,000 in Zachary.
| Metric | Slidell | Zachary |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 67,708 idx |
| Household Income | $70,497 | $84,480 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Slidell | Zachary |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Zachary scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zachary leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Slidell | Zachary |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Slidell is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Zachary.
From a growth perspective, Zachary 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 | Zachary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,561 | 20,842 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.07% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 38.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 6.80% |
| 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.
Zachary
Advantages
Zachary's median household income of $84,480 in 2024 is higher than the national average, indicating a strong economic base for its residents.
The city boasts a violent crime rate of 0.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 94% below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
Housing costs in Zachary are 6% lower than the national average, contributing to a lower overall cost of living.
Lane Regional Medical Center, a 139-bed regional healthcare system established in 1960, provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services to Zachary and surrounding areas.
Zachary's public schools are highly rated, making it an attractive location for families seeking quality education for their children.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Zachary stands at 6.8%, which is higher than the typical considered rate of 4% to 5%.
While Zachary has a lower violent crime rate, its property crime rate is 20 per one thousand population, which is considered above average when compared to all other communities in America of all population sizes.
Zachary's average rent of $1,500 per month is higher than the national average rent of $1,464 in the previous year, indicating a slight increase in rental costs.
The average commute time in Zachary is 27.7 minutes, which is longer than the national average commute time.
Zachary's median home value of $270,591 is higher than the national median home value of $251,418.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Slidell
#63Louisiana, 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
Zachary
#26Louisiana, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.07%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
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