North Louisiana ranks as the most cost competitive place to do business in the United States, according to the 2016 Competitive Alternatives study by KPMG, LLP, a global audit, tax and advisory firm. Monroe, Louisiana tops the list of U. S cities as having the lowest cost of business. Shreveport-Bossier ranks as the second most cost competitive place, followed by other Louisiana metropolitan areas. KPMG compared costs in 133 cities in 10 countries, including 81 U.S. cities.
KPMG data shows that Monroe has a cost index of 91.3, meaning Monroe’s business costs are 8.7 percent below the U.S. national baseline of 100. Shreveport-Bossier’s business costs are 8.3 percent below the U.S. average with a cost index of 91.7. The following chart highlights North Louisiana cities relative to communities in the Southeast.
“Business costs represent one of the most important factors when companies are determining where they should locate or expand their operations. KPMG Competitive Alternatives has consistently ranked North Louisiana at the top of the most affordable places to do business since 2008,” said Scott Martinez, President, North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP).
North Louisiana’s favorable utility costs and low effective corporate income tax rate contributed to its first place ranking in the study, which compares key cities across a range of 26 costs factors related to doing business. Those costs include taxes, labor, facilities, transportation and utilities, as they apply to seven different types of business sectors operations and 12 different manufacturing sector operations.
The complete 2016 global study and additional city profiles are available online at
KPMG Competitive Alternatives study.
About North Louisiana Economic Partnership
North Louisiana Economic Partnership, an Accredited Economic Development Organization, provides professional economic development services to the 14 parish region of North Louisiana, including lead generation and prospect management. The organization also represents the interests of North Louisiana with a unified voice and as a single point of contact. It acts as a catalyst, a convener, and a connector in the region to ensure that North Louisiana’s economic development potential is realized. Its vision is for North Louisiana to be a thriving region-a destination for high quality talent, innovative companies, and global investment.