Louisiana Airbnb prices average about $257 per booked night in New Orleans, compared with $148 in Baton Rouge, $140 in Lake Charles, $139 in Shreveport and $136 in Lafayette, based on AirDNA’s trailing 12-month figures. New Orleans costs close to double the other major markets, and its short-term rental rules add extra charges.
Quick Answer
Budget roughly $135 to $150 per booked night in Lafayette, Shreveport, Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, and about $257 in New Orleans. These are market averages, not quotes, so festival weekends, Mardi Gras and large French Quarter-area homes can cost more.
Key Takeaways
- AirDNA ADRs: Lafayette $136, Shreveport $139, Lake Charles $140, Baton Rouge $148, New Orleans $257 (pages updated October 6 to 20, 2026).
- Lake Charles has the highest occupancy of the five at 67%.
- Airbnb lists a 5% Louisiana sales and use tax, local occupancy taxes of 1% to 12%, and extra New Orleans short-term rental charges.
- Airbnb shows US guests a fee-inclusive price before taxes.
Louisiana Airbnb Prices by City
Louisiana’s market is dominated by New Orleans, with college, Gulf and Cajun-country cities at lower prices. The table uses AirDNA’s market data, which reports the average nightly price paid on booked nights over the trailing 12 months.
| Louisiana market | Average daily rate | Occupancy | What drives the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | $136 | 53% | Cajun-country city with festival and business demand. |
| Shreveport | $139 | 62% | Northwest Louisiana city and casino market. |
| Lake Charles | $140 | 67% | Southwest Louisiana market with steady business travel. |
| Baton Rouge | $148 | 52% | State capital with LSU game-day and business demand. |
| New Orleans | $257 | 55% | Tourism, festivals and conventions. |
Note: ADR is the average price paid on booked nights. It mixes room types and home sizes, and AirDNA tracks short-term rentals generally rather than Airbnb alone. AirDNA’s Louisiana overview shows several nearby towns sharing the same figures as Lake Charles. Live figures change monthly.
New Orleans averages about $121 more per night than Lafayette. A room or small apartment will often sit below its market average, while a large home near the French Quarter or a festival-weekend rental can sit far above it.
What Changes Louisiana Airbnb Prices
- Festivals and events: Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, LSU home games and other big weekends usually raise prices, though the size varies.
- Neighborhood: walkable, central New Orleans areas cost more than outer ones.
- Property type and size: entire homes cost more than private rooms, and large houses cost more per night but can be cheaper per person.
- Pools, waterfront and pet-friendly stays: popular extras that raise demand, and pet-friendly stays may add a pet fee.
- Distance from the center: a short drive can lower the rate, but add parking and fuel.
For groups, compare cost per person. A $257 home shared by six guests is about $43 each per night before fees and tax.
Pro Tip: Check the event calendar before choosing dates. Moving a trip off a festival weekend can cut the nightly rate more than switching between similar listings.
Fees and Taxes to Budget For
Airbnb says US guests see a fee-inclusive total price before taxes on all listings, so mandatory fees such as cleaning should already be in the displayed price. Under the split-fee structure, the guest service fee ranges from 14.1% to 16.5% of the booking subtotal.
Warning: Do not automatically add another 15% to the price Airbnb displays in the US. That can double-count fees already included. Open the price breakdown at checkout.
Airbnb’s Louisiana tax page lists a 5% Louisiana sales and use tax on the listing price including cleaning and guest fees, plus local sales taxes of 3.25% to 7.92% and local occupancy taxes of 1% to 12%. For New Orleans it also lists a $12 per night short-term rental occupancy fee and a 6.75% equalization occupancy tax on applicable stays of 29 nights or fewer, depending on listing type. Parish occupancy taxes range widely, for example 6% in East Baton Rouge, Caddo and Bossier parishes and 4% in Lafayette Parish. These can change, so rely on the tax lines at checkout.
How to Save on a Louisiana Airbnb
- Avoid festival weekends. Mardi Gras and big event dates cost the most.
- Go midweek. Sunday to Thursday nights are usually cheaper.
- Consider a nearby city. Baton Rouge or Lafayette average far below New Orleans.
- Stay longer. The cleaning fee is spread over more nights, and some hosts offer weekly discounts.
- Split a larger home. Compare cost per person against separate rooms.
- Compare total prices. New Orleans taxes and fees can change which listing is actually cheaper.
Prefer a hotel? See our guides to Louisiana hotel prices, Louisiana motel prices, New Orleans hotels and Baton Rouge hotels. Neighboring states are covered in our Texas Airbnb guide, Mississippi Airbnb guide and Arkansas Airbnb guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Airbnb price per night in Louisiana?
There is no single statewide figure. AirDNA’s trailing 12-month ADRs are about $136 in Lafayette, $139 in Shreveport, $140 in Lake Charles, $148 in Baton Rouge and $257 in New Orleans.
Why is New Orleans so much more expensive than the rest of Louisiana?
New Orleans is the state’s main tourism, festival and convention market, so demand and prices are higher. Airbnb also lists extra short-term rental charges there, including a $12 per night fee and a 6.75% equalization occupancy tax on applicable stays.
What taxes apply to a Louisiana Airbnb?
Airbnb lists a 5% Louisiana sales and use tax, local sales taxes of 3.25% to 7.92% and local occupancy taxes of 1% to 12%, with extra charges in New Orleans. Check the tax lines at checkout for the exact total.
Does Airbnb show cleaning fees in the displayed price?
For US guests, Airbnb shows a fee-inclusive total price before taxes, so mandatory fees such as cleaning are included. The breakdown still lists the individual charges and taxes.
When is the cheapest time to book a Louisiana Airbnb?
Midweek nights and dates away from Mardi Gras, festivals and big game weekends are usually cheaper. The saving varies by property, so compare the same listing across a few date combinations.
Is an Airbnb cheaper than a hotel in Louisiana?
It depends on the trip. A hotel can be cheaper for one traveler on a short stay, while an Airbnb may suit families and groups that need several bedrooms and a kitchen. Compare the full after-tax total for the same dates and guests.
Conclusion
Louisiana Airbnb prices run from about $136 per booked night in Lafayette to about $257 in New Orleans, with Baton Rouge near $148. Choose the city first, then compare the fee-inclusive total and the tax lines at checkout.
Flexible dates, a smaller-city base and a longer stay are the most dependable ways to lower the nightly cost.
Sources
- AirDNA Louisiana overview – market comparison; page updated October 20, 2026.
- AirDNA Lafayette, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and New Orleans market pages – ADR and occupancy, trailing 12 months, pages updated October 6 to 20, 2026.
- Airbnb: occupancy taxes in Louisiana – state and local tax rates and New Orleans charges.
- Airbnb: pricing display in the United States – fee-inclusive total price before taxes.
- Airbnb: service fees – guest service fee range.
