Compare states / Louisiana
LA
Compare Louisiana with other states
Louisiana is a mid-sized Southern state: about 4.6 million residents, the 26th-largest population, at 107 people per square mile. It taxes wages, but its top rate of 3.0% is the 5th-lowest among the 41 states that do; its average combined sales tax of 10.11% is the highest among the 50 states. Homes cost less than in most places, with a median value of $215,842 (the 3rd-lowest nationally). Its reported violent-crime rate, 520 per 100,000 residents, is the 5th-highest in the country.
Data: Louisiana (revenue.louisiana.gov, expresslane.org); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 3.0% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 10.11% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.55% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Parish ad valorem on vehicles; lowest effective rate (~0.10%) |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | No state minimum wage. Federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers. |
| Median home value | $215,842 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 4.45% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $18.50 |
| Registration (base) | $20.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 21 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 0 |
| Population | 4,621,500 |
| Population density | 107.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 56.7% White (non-Hispanic) 6.9% Hispanic 33.0% Black 1.9% Asian |
| Violent crime | 519.8 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Louisiana
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 3.0%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Louisiana
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 4.45% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Louisiana
- Get an LA driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Louisiana.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Louisiana elections site.
- Nurse license: Louisiana is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Louisiana: September 30. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Louisiana compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 3.0% in Louisiana vs 13.3% in California (lower in Louisiana).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Louisiana are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Louisiana does not tax Social Security benefits (LA tax agency).
- Estate tax. Louisiana has no state estate tax (LA tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Louisiana has no state inheritance tax (LA tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Louisiana $7.25 (federal).
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Louisiana 4.45%.
- State parks. Louisiana 21. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; LA 0).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (LA).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Louisiana 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Louisiana 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled