Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Illinois and Louisiana. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Illinois
Louisiana
Median Home Price
$270K
$195K
Property Tax Rate
2.07%
0.55%
Avg Closing Costs
$5K
$3K
Closing Cost %
2.0%
1.6%
Transfer Tax
0.1%
None
Homeowners Insurance
$1,900/yr
$3,500/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
IHDA 1stHomeIllinois
$7,500 forgivable loan
LHC Resilience Soft Second
Up to $55,000 forgivable
Verdict
Louisiana wins 5 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $195K and lower overall costs, Louisiana offers meaningful savings compared to Illinois. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.