Buying a home in Louisiana

Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in Louisiana.

For home buyers in Louisiana: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.

Effective property tax rate

0.55%

Median tax $1,180 ÷ median value $216,500 (ACS 2020–2024)

Typical home value

$213,867

Zillow ZHVI, 2026-09

State transfer tax

0.0%

Usually paid by: none. La. Const. Art. VII, Sec. 2.3 (transfer tax prohibition); recording fees La. R.S. 13:844; notary execution La. Civ. Code arts. 1833 & 1839. Official source. Local taxes may add more.

Estimated buyer closing costs Estimate

$2,500–$4,300

On a $213,867 home: typical lender fees + title insurance + deed recording (TallyClose) + the buyer’s share of transfer/recording taxes. Excludes prepaids, escrow and local taxes.

At Louisiana's effective rate of 0.55%, a typical $213,867 home would owe about $1,176/year ($98/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.

First-time homebuyer programs

Louisiana Housing Corporation

Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit Louisiana Housing Corporation →

Next steps

Cheapest & priciest ZIPs in LouisianaZIP codes ranked by typical home value Louisiana first-time buyer programsDown payment assistance from the state HFA Payment on a typical Louisiana home$213,867 home at your state's tax rate Mortgage rates today30-year fixed at 7.24%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.

Common questions

What is the property tax rate in Louisiana?

The effective property tax rate in Louisiana is 0.55%: the median tax of $1,180 divided by the median home value of $216,500 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).

What is a typical home value in Louisiana?

$213,867 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.

Does Louisiana have a real estate transfer tax?

No. Louisiana has no state real estate transfer tax, although recording fees apply and some local governments may add their own taxes.

Who offers first-time homebuyer help in Louisiana?

Louisiana Housing Corporation, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.

Updated November 3, 2026. Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.

Buying a home in Louisiana

Louisiana Housing Corporation

Next steps

Common questions

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