Moving to
Houma
The heart of Bayou Country, where Cajun culture, offshore energy, and world-class seafood meet affordable Gulf Coast living just 55 miles from New Orleans.
At A Glance
Houma
By The Numbers
The numbers that matter most when you’re evaluating a move to Houma.
Why Houma
Why People Move to Houma
Discover what makes Houma a great place to call home.
Affordable Gulf Coast Living
Median home price of $182K is well below the national average. You get bayou views and Gulf access without coastal premium pricing.
Offshore Energy Hub
Houma-Terrebonne is a major base for offshore oil and gas operations, shipbuilding, and marine services, providing thousands of well-paying industrial jobs.
Cajun Culture & Seafood
Fresh-from-the-Gulf crawfish, shrimp, and oysters. More than 10% of residents speak French at home. Authentic Cajun culture you can't find anywhere else.
Deep Bayou Country
Over 2,500 square miles of swamps, bayous, and wetlands for fishing, crabbing, and exploring. Swamp tours, airboat rides, and wildlife encounters are part of daily life.
Festivals & Music
Voice of the Wetlands Music Festival, Rougarou Fest, and Mardi Gras celebrations bring the community together year-round with food, music, and revelry.
Close to New Orleans
Just 55 miles southwest of New Orleans, Houma offers small-town living with big-city access for work, entertainment, and travel.
Cost Of Living
Houma Cost of Living Breakdown
How Houma compares to the Louisiana average and national average.
| Category | Houma | Louisiana Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (Median) | $182,000 | $253,100 | $368,581 |
| Rent (1BR) | $825/mo | $906/mo | $1,200/mo |
| Groceries | 96 index | 96 index | 100 index |
| Utilities | 79 index | 82 index | 100 index |
| Property Tax | 0.53% | 0.53% | 1.1% |
| Transportation | 93 index | 97 index | 100 index |
Local averages. Your own numbers move with the property, the parish and the insurance quote.
The Line That Is Not On This Table
Homeowners insurance. In Louisiana it is the expensive part of the payment, not the taxes, and it goes straight into your escrow, which means it goes straight into what you qualify for. I quote it before we set your budget instead of after.
Neighborhoods
Notable Neighborhoods & Areas
Houma and Terrebonne Parish offer neighborhoods from historic downtown living to quiet bayou-side communities.
Downtown Houma
Historic downtown with the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, Folklife Culture Center, local eateries, and walkable streets. Renovated homes and cottages from $100K, $200K.
Bayou Cane
Suburban community south of Houma offering peaceful residential living, newer subdivisions, and easy highway access. Homes from $150K, $300K.
Houma Heights
Charming neighborhood on the east side of the city with classic shotgun-style homes and tree-lined streets. Homes from $80K, $180K.
Gray / Schriever
Unincorporated communities along Bayou Lafourche with a rural feel, larger lots, and family-friendly living. USDA-eligible areas with homes from $130K, $280K.
Thibodaux (Nearby)
College town 15 minutes east, home to Nicholls State University. More upscale options and a vibrant downtown. Homes from $150K, $350K.
Montegut / Chauvin
Bayou communities south of Houma with deep fishing traditions, waterfront properties, and an authentic Cajun lifestyle. Homes from $80K, $200K.
Schools
Schools & Education
Terrebonne Parish School District serves Houma and surrounding communities with solid public and private options.
Terrebonne Parish School District
The Terrebonne Parish School District operates approximately 35 schools serving around 17,000 students. The district includes traditional, magnet, and alternative school options.
Notable Schools
- Terrebonne High School, Louisiana's second-oldest high school with strong community ties
- H.L. Bourgeois High School, well-regarded public high school
- Vandebilt Catholic High School, top-rated private school in the area
- Houma Christian School, voted Bayou's Best Private School in 2024
Higher Education
- Nicholls State University (Thibodaux), regional university with strong nursing, culinary, and petroleum programs
- Fletcher Technical Community College, workforce training in industrial, healthcare, and technology fields
Jobs And Economy
Jobs & Economy
Offshore energy, shipbuilding, healthcare, and fishing drive the Houma-Terrebonne economy, a unique blend of industry and tradition.
Top Employers
- Terrebonne General Health System, regional medical center
- Edison Chouest Offshore, major marine vessel company
- Bollinger Shipyards, ship construction and repair
- Danos, industrial and oilfield services
- Oceaneering International, subsea engineering and robotics
- Terrebonne Parish School Board, education
- Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, local government services
Energy & Maritime Industry
Houma-Terrebonne is one of Louisiana's primary bases for offshore oil and gas support services. The Port of Terrebonne and multiple shipyards service Gulf of Mexico operations. While the energy sector drives the economy, healthcare and education provide stability during oil price fluctuations.
Buying Here
Buying a Home in Houma
Mortgages by Channing helps homebuyers across Terrebonne Parish, from bayou-side retreats to suburban family homes.
Market Overview
Houma's housing market offers exceptional value, with a wide range of properties from historic cottages to modern suburban homes. Flood insurance is an important consideration given the low-lying terrain, but many neighborhoods have favorable flood zone ratings.
Flood & Insurance Considerations
Given Houma's location in bayou country, flood insurance is essential for most properties. Check FEMA flood maps carefully, and factor insurance costs into your budget. Elevation certificates can significantly impact your premiums. Many newer subdivisions are built on higher ground with better flood ratings.
FHA Loan
Low down payment and flexible credit. The loan most first-time buyers here actually use.
FHA LoanUSDA Loan
$0 down on an eligible address. Eligibility runs off the address, not the city name.
USDA LoanConventional Loan
From 3% down with mortgage insurance that comes off at 20% equity instead of riding the loan.
Conventional LoanFirst-Time Buyers
Louisiana assistance programs compared, and a straight answer on whether now is your time.
First-Time BuyersHouma Mortgage Broker
Every program we run in Houma, priced side by side on your real numbers.
Houma Mortgage BrokerHonest Assessment
Pros & Cons of Moving to Houma
Every place has tradeoffs. Anybody telling you Houma has none is selling you something. Here is the list I would give a friend.
What You Get
- Affordable housing, 35% below national avg
- Authentic Cajun culture and world-class seafood
- Strong offshore energy and shipbuilding jobs
- Unmatched bayou and outdoor recreation
- Only 55 miles from New Orleans
- USDA-eligible areas for zero-down financing
What You Sign Up For
- ᚹac; Hurricane and flooding risk in low-lying areas
- ᙕaa; Flood insurance can be expensive
- Economy heavily tied to oil and gas cycles
- Hot, humid summers with mosquitoes
- Car-dependent with limited public transit
- Population slowly declining as industry shifts
Houma FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Still Deciding?
Get A Straight Answer On Your Own Numbers
A soft credit check tells you where you stand. Nothing hits your report until you decide to move forward.
Compare Markets
Other Louisiana Cities
Worth Looking At
Prices, insurance and school districts change inside an hour's drive. If Houma is not quite it, start here. The statewide relocation guide covers all 32.
Real Closings
Real Clients.
Real Closings.
Real families we have helped get from pre-approval to keys in hand.
Find Out What A Houma Payment
Actually Looks Like
Tell me roughly what you want to spend and I will come back with the real number, insurance and parish taxes included, and tell you straight whether the timing is right. Free quote, no credit pull to start.
Get My Free QuoteMortgages by Channing · 337-476-2623 · Serving Houma and all of Louisiana · NMLS #1457759
