Home project costs in New Orleans, LA
Every project we cover, priced for the New Orleans-Metairie metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
New Orleans sits 199th of 300 metros on BEA's regional price index, at 92.6 where the US is 100. Goods, the index that drives materials, is 93.7 (276th). The metro has about 445,550 jobs in BLS's May 2025 survey.
Not every job moves the same way here: 0 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 38 below. Attic insulation (−6%), sprinkler system (−7%) and asphalt driveway (−7%) sit highest, and laminate flooring (−16%), composite deck (−13%) and chain-link fence (−13%) sit lowest. Labor-heavy work tracks local wages; materials-heavy work tracks the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (New Orleans Lakefront Ap, 6 miles away) shows a January average low of 47°F, a July average high of 91°F and 60 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are September through June; for exterior installation, they are September through June.
What local trades earn in New Orleans
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $17.45 | $18.98 | $23.29 | $22.66 | 0.84 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $21.55 | $24.10 | $29.75 | $29.12 | 0.83 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $22.97 | $28.00 | $32.23 | $28.78 | 0.97 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $24.43 | $30.03 | $36.43 | $30.67 | 0.98 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $17.95 | $22.99 | $29.98 | $27.41 | 0.84 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $23.35 | $30.04 | $35.56 | $30.38 | 0.99 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $19.20 | $21.22 | $22.99 | $26.77 | 0.79 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.65 | n/a |
Concrete & paving in New Orleans
The 7 jobs here average −10% versus the US in New Orleans, from −12% (concrete driveway) to −7% (asphalt driveway).
| Project | Size | New Orleans range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in New Orleans | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,700 | −10% |
| Concrete driveway cost in New Orleans | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,050 | −12% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in New Orleans | 600 sq ft | $2,850 – $6,850 | −7% |
| Gravel driveway cost in New Orleans | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,400 | −8% |
| Paver patio cost in New Orleans | 300 sq ft | $2,700 – $4,900 | −10% |
| Concrete patio cost in New Orleans | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,550 | −11% |
| Stamped concrete cost in New Orleans | 400 sq ft | $2,950 – $7,100 | −10% |
Decks & outdoor in New Orleans
The 2 jobs here average −12% versus the US in New Orleans, from −13% (composite deck) to −11% (wood deck).
| Project | Size | New Orleans range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in New Orleans | 300 sq ft | $6,700 – $13,500 | −11% |
| Composite deck cost in New Orleans | 300 sq ft | $10,500 – $21,100 | −13% |
Building & additions in New Orleans
Across these 2 projects, New Orleans averages −11% against national midpoints. Detached garage is highest at −11% and home addition lowest at −11%.
| Project | Size | New Orleans range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in New Orleans | 576 sq ft | $25,900 – $52,000 | −11% |
| Home addition cost in New Orleans | 300 sq ft | $33,800 – $68,500 | −11% |
Doors & windows in New Orleans
The 5 jobs here average −9% versus the US in New Orleans, from −11% (patio door) to −8% (garage door).
| Project | Size | New Orleans range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in New Orleans | 1 door | $640 – $3,400 | −8% |
| Storm door cost in New Orleans | 1 door | $310 – $860 | −10% |
| Front door cost in New Orleans | 1 door | $440 – $2,300 | −9% |
| Window replacement cost in New Orleans | 10 windows | $4,050 – $13,700 | −9% |
| Patio door cost in New Orleans | 1 door | $540 – $5,350 | −11% |
Fencing in New Orleans
The 4 jobs here average −11% versus the US in New Orleans, from −13% (chain-link fence) to −9% (vinyl fence).
| Project | Size | New Orleans range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in New Orleans | 150 linear ft | $2,700 – $6,850 | −11% |
| Vinyl fence cost in New Orleans | 150 linear ft | $4,150 – $8,350 | −9% |
| Chain-link fence cost in New Orleans | 150 linear ft | $1,400 – $5,350 | −13% |
| Aluminum fence cost in New Orleans | 150 linear ft | $3,350 – $10,200 | −10% |
Roofing & exterior in New Orleans
The 5 jobs here average −10% versus the US in New Orleans, from −12% (vinyl siding) to −6% (attic insulation).
| Project | Size | New Orleans range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in New Orleans | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,450 – $11,300 | −10% |
| Metal roof cost in New Orleans | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $8,850 – $29,100 | −11% |
| Gutters cost in New Orleans | 160 linear ft | $1,100 – $3,750 | −11% |
| Vinyl siding cost in New Orleans | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,400 – $22,200 | −12% |
| Attic insulation cost in New Orleans | 1,000 sq ft | $940 – $3,750 | −6% |
Kitchen & bath in New Orleans
Across these 5 projects, New Orleans averages −10% against national midpoints. Kitchen remodel is highest at −8% and kitchen backsplash lowest at −12%.
| Project | Size | New Orleans range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in New Orleans | 25 linear ft | $3,900 – $12,500 | −10% |
| Shower pan cost in New Orleans | 1 pan | $830 – $2,550 | −9% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in New Orleans | 120 sq ft | $17,100 – $29,100 | −8% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in New Orleans | 45 sq ft | $4,250 – $21,200 | −9% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in New Orleans | 30 sq ft | $260 – $1,300 | −12% |
Landscaping & drainage in New Orleans
Across these 5 projects, New Orleans averages −8% against national midpoints. Sprinkler system is highest at −7% and French drain lowest at −9%.
| Project | Size | New Orleans range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in New Orleans | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,900 | −9% |
| Retaining wall cost in New Orleans | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,500 – $12,400 | −8% |
| Sod installation cost in New Orleans | 1,500 sq ft | $1,350 – $3,000 | −9% |
| Sprinkler system cost in New Orleans | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,700 – $9,300 | −7% |
| Inground pool cost in New Orleans | 450 sq ft | $33,300 – $104,000 | −8% |
Flooring & interior in New Orleans
The 3 jobs here average −13% versus the US in New Orleans, from −16% (laminate flooring) to −12% (hardwood flooring).
| Project | Size | New Orleans range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in New Orleans | 500 sq ft | $4,800 – $11,000 | −12% |
| Laminate flooring cost in New Orleans | 500 sq ft | $1,650 – $5,950 | −16% |
| Tile flooring cost in New Orleans | 200 sq ft | $1,950 – $8,950 | −12% |
New Orleans against its nearest metros
Taking every project together, New Orleans comes out −10% versus the national midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 1 prices higher and 5 lower. Hattiesburg is the lowest at −12% (135 miles) and Baton Rouge the highest at −8% (125 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LAthis page | 92.6 | 93.7 | −10% | |
| Houma, LA | 75 miles | 85.1 | 93.7 | −12% |
| Slidell, LA | 80 miles | 92.7 | 93.7 | −11% |
| Gulfport, MS | 90 miles | 90.0 | 96.2 | −10% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 125 miles | 90.8 | 93.7 | −8% |
| Mobile, AL | 125 miles | 88.1 | 96.4 | −11% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 135 miles | 87.6 | 96.2 | −12% |