Performance
Score Breakdown
Natchitoches
Alexandria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Natchitoches is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
66% lower compared to Alexandria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Natchitoches's average rent is
32% lower than Alexandria's.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Alexandria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $664 | $974 | -32% |
| Groceries | $0 | $395 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $220 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $664 | $1,935 | -66% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alexandria offers 56% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $22,157 | $50,107 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $38,952 |
| Household Income | $37,133 | $47,113 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 73.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Natchitoches scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Natchitoches leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alexandria is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Natchitoches.
From a growth perspective, Natchitoches 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 | Natchitoches | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,577 | 44,060 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.6 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
Natchitoches
#97Louisiana, 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
Alexandria
#97Louisiana, 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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