Estimate your monthly mortgage payment in Louisiana — principal & interest plus Louisiana property tax and homeowner’s insurance.
Buying a home in Louisiana: what to know
The typical Louisiana home is worth about $217,039 (Zillow ZHVI, August 2026), up 2% from a year earlier — one of the most affordable statewide values in the US. Louisiana’s median effective property tax rate is just 0.55% (Tax Foundation, 2026), though homeowners insurance is among the priciest in the nation at $2,603 a year on average (NAIC 2022). This calculator estimates your full monthly payment — principal, interest, taxes, insurance and PMI — with Louisiana’s tax rate and insurance pre-filled, and includes help from the Louisiana Housing Corporation’s HomeStart down payment assistance programs.
Louisiana mortgage facts
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| 2026 conforming loan limit (1-unit) | $832,750 |
| Median home price | $217,039 |
| Median effective property tax rate | 0.55% |
| Average homeowner’s insurance | $2,603/year |
Data as of October 2026. Sources: FHFA (2026 conforming limits), Zillow ZHVI (August 2026), Tax Foundation (2026 (2024 ACS data)), NAIC via Insurance Information Institute (2022 (published May 2025)); rate: 7.40% (Freddie Mac PMMS, week ending October 15, 2026)
Louisiana first-time buyer programs
- LHC HomeStart Assist — Pairs a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage with 4% of the loan amount as a 0% forgivable second mortgage for down payment and closing costs. The second mortgage is fully forgiven after 60 months of owner occupancy. Available statewide; first-time buyer status required (exceptions for veterans and targeted areas). Official site
- LHC HomeStart Plus — Disaster-recovery program for parishes hit by Hurricanes Laura, Delta or Ida. Offers up to 20% of the purchase price (capped at $55,000) as a 0% second mortgage forgiven monthly over 10 years, plus up to $5,000 in closing-cost help. Income capped at 80% of HUD area median income. Official site
How to use this calculator
Start with the pre-filled $217,039 typical home value and adjust it to your target price. Enter your down payment — 20% down avoids PMI, but Louisiana first-time buyers can pair an LHC HomeStart loan with 4% down payment assistance instead of saving the full amount. Louisiana’s 0.55% effective property tax rate is applied automatically, and the insurance field is pre-filled at the $2,603 state average — raise it if you’re buying near the coast or in a hurricane zone. Finally, set the rate to your actual quote; all Louisiana parishes share the $832,750 conforming loan limit, so no parish changes that figure.
Worked example: a median Louisiana home
Take a median-priced Louisiana home at $217,039. With 20% down ($43,407.80), the loan amount is $173,631.20. At 7.40% (Freddie Mac PMMS, week ending October 15, 2026) on a 30-year fixed term, principal and interest come to $1,202.19/month. Add property tax of about $99.48/month (0.55% of $217,039, divided by 12) and insurance of about $216.92/month ($2,603 a year), for a total estimated payment of $1,518.58/month. Over 30 years, total interest would be about $259,156.25. Your rate, down payment, and county tax bill will move these numbers — use the calculator above with your own figures.
What is the conforming loan limit in Louisiana for 2026?
The 2026 conforming loan limit is $832,750 for a single-family home in every Louisiana parish, per the FHFA’s November 2025 announcement. Louisiana has no high-cost parishes, so the baseline applies statewide — from New Orleans and Baton Rouge to Lafayette and Shreveport.
How much are property taxes in Louisiana?
The median effective property tax rate in Louisiana is about 0.55% (Tax Foundation, 2026 (2024 ACS data)) — among the lowest in the US. On a $217,039 home, that’s roughly $1,194 a year, or $99 a month — already included in the calculator above. Actual bills vary by parish and municipality, and the homestead exemption shields the first $75,000 of assessed value for owner-occupants.
Why is homeowners insurance so expensive in Louisiana?
Louisiana has the second-highest average HO-3 premium in the US at $2,603 a year (NAIC 2022, via the Insurance Information Institute) — 66% above the national average. Hurricane and wind risk is the main driver, and many coastal buyers face separate wind/hail deductibles of 2-5% of dwelling coverage. Flood damage is not covered by standard policies, so lenders require separate NFIP flood insurance in flood zones. Budget for both before you buy.
What down payment help does the Louisiana Housing Corporation offer?
LHC’s HomeStart Assist program gives eligible first-time buyers 4% of their first mortgage as a zero-interest, forgivable second loan for down payment and closing costs, forgiven after five years of occupancy. HomeStart Plus offers up to 20% of the price (max $55,000) plus $5,000 toward closing costs in hurricane-affected parishes, forgiven monthly over 10 years. Apply through a participating lender at lhc.la.gov.
Is Louisiana’s housing market rising or falling?
Louisiana’s typical home value was $217,039 in August 2026, up about 2% year over year (Zillow ZHVI) — modest, steady growth well below the national pace. It remains one of the cheapest states to buy in, but insurance costs, not prices, are the main affordability pressure for buyers here.