What are the schools like in Gretna, LA?

Gretna is served primarily by Jefferson Parish. The district operates 50 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 16 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.4:1.

What is the median household income in Gretna?

The median household income in Gretna, LA is $47,010 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.9%.

What is the weather like in Gretna, LA?

Gretna has an average high temperature of 62.9°F in January and 91.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 63.9 inches.

Gretna, LA Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Gretna, LA affordable or expensive?

Gretna's cost of living index is 91, where 100 represents the national average. This means Gretna is 9% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $228,700 and the median rent is $994 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Gretna, LA?

Gretna has a violent crime rate of 428.9 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 3800.3 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Gretna, LA a Good Place to Live?

Gretna is a small city of 17,640 in Louisiana, with a median household income of $47,010 and a 6.9% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is 9% below the national average.

Strengths: Gretna stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Gretna is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Gretna city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 91.1

Gretna's overall cost of living index is 91.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Gretna costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.

Metric	Gretna, LA	National Avg
Median Home Value	$228,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$994	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	49.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$47,010	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Higher than Average

Gretna's violent crime rate is 428.9 per 100,000 residents — 13% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

428.9 /100k

Property Crime

3800.3 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Gretna is served primarily by Jefferson Parish. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Gretna, LA	National Avg
School District	Jefferson Parish	—
Elementary Schools	50	—
Middle Schools	7	—
High Schools	16	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	24.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	75.4%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Gretna sees average highs of 62.9°F in January and 91.9°F in July, with 63.9 inches of annual precipitation .

Metric	Gretna, LA
Average High — January	62.9°F
Average High — July	91.9°F
Annual Precipitation	63.9"
Annual Snowfall	Trace / None

Demographics

Metric	Gretna, LA	National Avg
Population	17,640	—
Median Age	39.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.9%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	24.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	46.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	29.8%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	18.1%	18.9%
Asian	3.3%	6.3%
Under 18	20.7%	22.2%
65 and over	15.5%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Terrytown, LA 2 mi Harvey, LA 2 mi Timberlane, LA 3 mi Marrero, LA 4 mi Arabi, LA 4 mi

ZIP Codes in Gretna

Gretna, LA is covered by 1 ZIP code:

70053

Gretna vs Other Cities

Gretna, LA vs Terrytown, LA Gretna, LA vs Harvey, LA Gretna, LA vs Timberlane, LA Gretna, LA vs Marrero, LA Gretna, LA vs Arabi, LA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gretna, LA affordable or expensive?

Gretna's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average. That makes Gretna roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $228,700 and median rent is $994/month.

What is the crime rate in Gretna, LA?

Gretna's violent crime rate is 428.9 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3800.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Gretna?

Public schools in Gretna are operated by Jefferson Parish. The district has 50 elementary, 7 middle, and 16 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.4:1. 24.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Gretna, LA a good place to live?

Gretna, LA has a population of 17,640, a median household income of $47,010, and an unemployment rate of 6.9%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Gretna?

Gretna averages 62.9°F in January and 91.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 63.9 inches . Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Gretna?

Gretna, LA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 70053.

What is the population of Gretna?

The population of Gretna, Louisiana is 17,640 with a median age of 39.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Gretna?

Key numbers for living in Gretna: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $228,700, median household income $47,010, crime index 140 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Gretna side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.