Living in New Orleans
New Orleans is ranked as one of the Top 5 Least Expensive Cities for Households in the United States but you'll still need to plan and budget carefully. As a US student, you will be more familiar with the cost of living in New Orleans than Brisbane but to ensure you can plan ahead, the Ochsner Medical Student Association has prepared a basic guide on the approximate cost of living in New Orleans.
- Accommodation: $500-1,000/month. Apartment complex housing tends to be more expensive than duplex houses or shotguns
- Utilities: $125-250/month
- Internet: $40-60/month (split between housemates)
- Groceries: $50-$100 per person/week
- Phone: $15-$75/month
Ways to save money
- Buy in bulk from Costco or Sam’s Club and split the cost with roommates
- Look for happy hours and special meal deals that are frequently available in New Orleans.
- Spend time wandering around at the free festivals, art shows, and music instead of spending money on events at venues. New Orleans has an average of 400 festivals a year, so there is always something to go to.
- Use your Winn-Dixie rewards card to save on gas, or purchase your gas at Costco or Sam’s which is typically 30 cents cheaper than anywhere else
- If you live with a few roommates shopping at Costco and splitting the cost can save a lot of money