Performance
Score Breakdown
Zachary
Bossier City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bossier City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% higher compared to Zachary.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zachary's average rent is
56% higher than Bossier City's.
| Metric | Zachary | Bossier City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $964 | +56% |
| Groceries | $450 | $674 | -33% |
| Utilities | $180 | $385 | -53% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $140 | +79% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $2,163 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Zachary offers 53% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Zachary delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Zachary is estimated at
$55,000 vs $67,000 in Bossier City.
| Metric | Zachary | Bossier City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $42,372 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $67,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 45,077 idx |
| Household Income | $84,480 | $55,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zachary | Bossier City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bossier City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Zachary.
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 | Zachary | Bossier City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 31.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bossier City is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Zachary.
From a growth perspective, Zachary is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bossier City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Zachary | Bossier City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,842 | 62,901 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.07% | % |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 35.4 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $7.7B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Bossier City
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Bossier City is approximately 5.8% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $964 per month as of July 2026, significantly below the national average.
The city experienced a healthy job growth rate of 3.3% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time for residents is a relatively short 18 minutes.
Bossier City has a strong military presence, contributing to a stable economic sector and community diversity.
Drawbacks
Bossier City has a high crime rate, ranking among the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S.A.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 31, meaning most errands require a car.
Summers are characterized as oppressive, hot, and uncomfortably humid.
The city's population is projected to have a negative growth rate from 2024 to 2026.
Utility costs are approximately 4.0% higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Zachary
#25Louisiana, 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
Bossier City
#81Louisiana, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$964
Avg Salary
$42,372
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
65
Business
70
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