Living in Ruston, Louisiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ruston · Census data 2020–2024
Ruston has 22,284 residents with a median age of 24.3. The median household income is $31,120 (49% lower than the Louisiana median), the median home value is $225,300, the median rent is $816/month.
Ruston at a glance
- Population
- 22,284
- Median age
- 24.3State: 38
- Median household income
- $31,120State: $60,756
- Median home value
- $225,300State: $216,500
- Median rent
- $816/moState: $1,064
- Homeowners
- 36.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 40.2%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Ruston a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 3.4%.
Cons: Median household income 49% lower than the Louisiana median; home values 4% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 39.8%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Ruston
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ruston the median home value is $225,300, 32% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $816 per month, which is 46.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,358 a month in housing costs.
Ruston median household income
The median household income in Ruston is $31,120 and the income per person is $21,473. 39.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Louisiana: 18.9%).
Housing in Ruston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,563
- Owner-occupied
- 36.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 63.8%
- Vacant
- 8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1983
- Average household size
- 2.24
Ruston demographics
- Population
- 22,284
- Median age
- 24.3
- Under 18
- 14.3%
- 65 and older
- 12.1%
- Households
- 8,796
- Foreign-born
- 4%
- Veterans
- 2.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ruston ›
Education in Ruston
40.2% of adults 25 and older in Ruston have a bachelor's degree or higher (Louisiana: 27%), and 16.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ruston
- Unemployment rate
- 3.4%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 14.9%
- Drive alone
- 71.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 4.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 84.6%
Ruston vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruston | 22,284 | $31,120 | $225,300 | $816 |
| Vienna | 587 | $95,000 | $356,300 | $592 |
| Choudrant | 1,319 | $72,679 | $313,500 | $943 |
| Simsboro | 851 | $31,658 | $84,300 | $934 |
| Dubach | 709 | $36,583 | $104,700 | $867 |
| Quitman | 321 | $31,806 | $78,800 | $1,005 |
| Downsville | 223 | $69,028 | $235,400 | $900 |
| Eros | 206 | $32,250 | $48,000 | $755 |
| Calhoun | 420 | $138,372 | $275,200 | — |
More for people moving to Ruston
Ruston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ruston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ruston, LA?
The median household income in Ruston is $31,120, 49% lower than the Louisiana median of $60,756 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ruston?
The median home value in Ruston is $225,300, compared with $216,500 in Louisiana.
How much is rent in Ruston?
The median gross rent in Ruston is $816 per month, about 46.3% of household income.
Is Ruston, LA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 3.4%. Minuses: median household income 49% lower than the Louisiana median; home values 4% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 39.8%.
What is the median age in Ruston?
The median age in Ruston is 24.3 years (Louisiana: 38).
How long is the commute in Ruston?
The average commute to work in Ruston is 15 minutes; 14.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ruston?
The unemployment rate in Ruston is 3.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ruston?
40.2% of adults in Ruston have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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