Performance
Score Breakdown
Natchitoches
Bossier City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Natchitoches is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
69% lower compared to Bossier City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Natchitoches's average rent is
31% lower than Bossier City's.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Bossier City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $664 | $964 | -31% |
| Groceries | $0 | $674 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $385 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $140 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $664 | $2,163 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bossier City offers 48% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Bossier City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $22,157 | $42,372 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $67,000 |
| Household Income | $37,133 | $55,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Bossier City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Bossier City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 31.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bossier City is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Natchitoches.
From a growth perspective, Natchitoches is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bossier City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Bossier City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,577 | 62,901 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 35.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $7.7B |
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.
Bossier City
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Bossier City is approximately 5.8% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $964 per month as of July 2026, significantly below the national average.
The city experienced a healthy job growth rate of 3.3% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time for residents is a relatively short 18 minutes.
Bossier City has a strong military presence, contributing to a stable economic sector and community diversity.
Drawbacks
Bossier City has a high crime rate, ranking among the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S.A.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 31, meaning most errands require a car.
Summers are characterized as oppressive, hot, and uncomfortably humid.
The city's population is projected to have a negative growth rate from 2024 to 2026.
Utility costs are approximately 4.0% higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Natchitoches
#103Louisiana, 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
Bossier City
#64Louisiana, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$964
Avg Salary
$42,372
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
65
Business
70
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