Performance
Score Breakdown
Zachary
Natchitoches
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Natchitoches is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
277% higher compared to Zachary.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zachary's average rent is
126% higher than Natchitoches's.
| Metric | Zachary | Natchitoches | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $664 | +126% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $664 | +277% |
| Cost Index | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Zachary offers 193% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Zachary | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $22,157 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $84,480 | $37,133 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zachary | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Natchitoches has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 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 | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zachary is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Natchitoches.
From a growth perspective, Zachary is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Natchitoches has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Zachary | Natchitoches |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,842 | 17,577 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.07% | % |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 26.5 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
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.
Zachary
#24Louisiana, 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
Natchitoches
#114Louisiana, 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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