How much do you realistically need to live in New Orleans in 2026?
I'm seriously considering a move to New Orleans, and in fact I made another post asking about moving to your wonderful city.
The responses on my other post were so positive and helpful, however, I found that money was a common theme in many of the replies. In general, just having enough of it: utility bills can skyrocket some months because of pipes bursting and just the weather in general, rents are high, and you'll need to sell a kidney to afford car insurance.
So, it got me thinking. How much do you realistically need to lead a fulfilling life in New Orleans?
By "fulfilling," I don't mean living in a mansion and having caviar everyday. I just mean living in a safe area that's close to things, paying rent and other bills without panicking each month (though I'd ultimately like to buy a home), having funds to go to festivals, etc, and having some left over for savings.
If you don't mind sharing, what do you spend a month total with rent, car, insurance, utilities, going out, groceries, etc—or how much should I expect to spend? Are there other unexpected costs that someone not from New Orleans may not realize?
I work for myself from home, so I'm not worried about finding a job. However, I'd be moving on my own, so I'm concerned about being able to afford everything on just one income.
Thank you lovely people of New Orleans!