Performance
Score Breakdown
Zachary
Alexandria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alexandria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% higher compared to Zachary.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zachary's average rent is
54% higher than Alexandria's.
| Metric | Zachary | Alexandria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $974 | +54% |
| Groceries | $450 | $395 | +14% |
| Utilities | $180 | $226 | -20% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $1,935 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Zachary offers 30% 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 $38,952 in Alexandria.
| Metric | Zachary | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $50,107 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $38,952 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 54,464 idx |
| Household Income | $84,480 | $47,113 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zachary | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Alexandria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 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 | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alexandria is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Zachary.
From a growth perspective, Zachary is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Zachary | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,842 | 44,060 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.07% | % |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Alexandria
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Alexandria is 8% lower than the national average, primarily due to significantly lower housing expenses.
Housing costs are 26% lower than the national average, with a median home price of $175,000 in May 2026.
The average commute time is relatively short at 17.4 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Alexandria is a regional healthcare hub with at least four major hospitals, and healthcare costs are 11% lower than the national average.
The city's economy is diverse, with a 3.32% job growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Drawbacks
Alexandria has a very high violent crime rate, 671% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's population is projected to decline by 1.3% annually, indicating a negative growth trend.
Summers are consistently hot, humid, and often described as oppressive.
A significant portion of the population, 27%, lives below the poverty line as of 2024.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 77.7% of residents driving alone to work.
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
Alexandria
#112Louisiana, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$974
Avg Salary
$50,107
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
50
Business
60
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