The short version
- Social Security taxed?
- No
- Income tax
- Flat 3%
- Property tax on a $300,000 home
- ≈ $1,650 / yr ($138 / mo)
- Everyday cost index (U.S. = 100)
- 92
- January / July high
- 62°F / 91°F
- Sales tax (state + local avg)
- 10.13%
Retiring in Louisiana
Low flat income tax and low property taxes with mild winters. Watch out: the highest combined sales tax in America and hurricane exposure.
How Louisiana taxes your retirement income
Social Security: not taxed at all.
Pensions: $6,000 retirement exclusion per person 65+; state and federal pensions exempt.
401(k) and IRA withdrawals: The $6,000 senior exclusion covers some 401(k)/IRA income.
The setup: Flat 3%.
Property tax & senior breaks
The average effective property tax rate is about 0.55% — roughly $1,650 a year ($138 a month) on a $300,000 home. Your county sets the real number.
Help for seniors: $7,500 homestead exemption; homeowners 65+ with modest income can freeze their assessment.
Try your own home value in the Property Tax Estimator.
Everyday costs & sales tax
Overall cost of living runs about 8% below the U.S. average. The combined state and average local sales tax is 10.13%.
Weather
January days top out around 62°F and July days around 91°F, with roughly 216 sunny days a year. Watch out for: Hurricanes, flooding, and expensive coastal insurance.
Healthcare
New Orleans and Baton Rouge care is solid; rural access is limited.