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Quality of Life in Bogalusa, LA
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
48% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Bogalusa, LA for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $11k | $21k |
| Comfortable | $21k | $31k |
| Luxury | $68k+ | $106k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $86k+ | $133k+ |
124%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
1 within 10 miles
Gas
8 within 10 miles
Hospital
5 within 20 miles
Airport
IAH — George Bush Intercontinental
Post Office
USPS — Bogalusa, LA
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Bogalusa, Louisiana, presents a notably low cost of living that shapes its quality of life, with a composite cost-of-living index of 52 (well below the U.S. average of 100). The city’s population is predominantly working-class and retired, with a median household income around $30,000, reflecting a community where affordability is the primary draw. Residents tend to be long-term locals, many employed in manufacturing, healthcare, or the paper industry, alongside a growing number of remote workers and retirees seeking a slower, budget-friendly pace.
Cost of living, housing affordability, and how Bogalusa compares to nearby cities
Housing is the standout advantage in Bogalusa. The median home value sits at $107,000, and the median gross rent is $710 per month—both dramatically lower than the national medians. For context, a comparable home in Covington, Louisiana (about 40 miles southwest) would cost roughly three times as much, while Slidell homes average around $220,000. This affordability extends to utilities and groceries, which are also below national averages. The average one-way commute is 29.6 minutes, slightly longer than the national average of 26 minutes, partly because many workers travel to larger employment hubs like Covington, Hammond, or even New Orleans (about 70 miles away). For those who can work remotely or are retired, the low housing costs effectively stretch a fixed income or modest salary further than in most U.S. towns.
Local amenities, schools, and what daily life feels like in Bogalusa
Daily life in Bogalusa is quiet and unhurried, centered around local parks, the Bogue Lusa River, and community events like the annual Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival. The Washington Parish School System serves the area, with Bogalusa High School and several elementary schools; however, families seeking more academic options often look to private schools in Covington or Mandeville. Healthcare is anchored by Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, a full-service facility that provides emergency and specialty care. Shopping and dining options are limited—residents typically drive to Slidell or Hammond for major retail and chain restaurants. The city lacks a vibrant nightlife or extensive cultural venues, but it offers a strong sense of community, low crime relative to similarly sized Louisiana towns, and easy access to outdoor recreation at the nearby Pearl River Wildlife Management Area and Bogue Chitto State Park.
Bogalusa is best suited for retirees on a fixed budget, remote workers who value space and low overhead, or manufacturing and tradespeople employed locally at plants like the International Paper mill. Families with young children may find the school options limited, and professionals seeking urban amenities will likely feel isolated. However, for anyone prioritizing financial breathing room, a slower rhythm, and a tight-knit community, Bogalusa delivers a quality of life that is both affordable and grounded.
Crime in Bogalusa, LA
Higher crime rates than 71% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Bogalusa, Louisiana, faces significant public safety challenges, with crime rates that substantially exceed both state and national averages. The city's violent crime rate of 912.2 incidents per 100,000 residents and property crime rate of 3,144.1 per 100,000 place it among the higher-risk communities in Washington Parish and the broader Northshore region. These figures indicate that residents and visitors should exercise heightened awareness, particularly regarding personal safety and property security.
Crime in context
Bogalusa's violent crime rate is more than double the Louisiana state average of approximately 560 per 100,000 and roughly 2.5 times the national average of about 380 per 100,000. The property crime rate similarly exceeds the national benchmark of around 1,950 per 100,000 by a wide margin. These statistics place Bogalusa in a difficult position compared to nearby communities like Franklinton or Covington, which report lower per-capita crime rates. The city's proximity to the larger New Orleans metropolitan area—a region where progressive judicial policies and district attorney offices have been criticized for lenient sentencing and reduced incarceration rates—may contribute to regional crime spillover. When surrounding jurisdictions adopt policies that prioritize offender rehabilitation over public safety, criminals can more easily operate across municipal lines, increasing risks for smaller cities like Bogalusa.
What residents experience
For those living in Bogalusa, the high crime rates translate into tangible daily concerns. Property crimes such as burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft are the most common offenses, affecting neighborhoods across the city. Violent crimes, including aggravated assault and robbery, occur at a frequency that demands caution, especially after dark and in less-trafficked areas. The city's economic challenges—with a poverty rate near 30% and a median household income well below the state average—correlate with elevated crime levels, as economic desperation often fuels property crime. Residents report that police response times can vary, and the Bogalusa Police Department works with limited resources relative to the scope of the problem. Community watch programs and neighborhood associations exist but have had mixed success in reducing crime rates.
Neighborhood-level variation is notable in Bogalusa. Areas closer to the city's core, particularly around the downtown district and older residential sections near Louisiana Highway 10, tend to report higher concentrations of both violent and property crime. In contrast, outlying neighborhoods on the city's northern and eastern edges, such as those near the Bogue Lusa Creek and the timber industry zones, generally experience lower crime rates. The area around the Bogalusa Medical Center and the newer subdivisions along Louisiana Highway 21 West are considered relatively safer. Prospective residents should research specific street-level data through local police reports or the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, as block-by-block conditions can vary significantly within this small city of roughly 11,000 people.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-05-01T13:51:23.000Z
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