Cost of Living in Baton Rouge, LA
Updated November 2026 · East Baton Rouge Parish · Baton Rouge, LA metro area · population 222,771
Prices in Baton Rouge are 10.1% below the US average (local index 89.9; the BEA index for the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is 90.8), with local housing the biggest saving at 68.3; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,291 a month and the median rent is $1,067.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Baton Rouge's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, unchanged.
Baton Rouge price index by category, US average = 100: All items 89.9, Housing (rents) 68.3, Goods 93.7, Utilities 71.2, Other services 95.7
It is the 4th most expensive of the 9 Louisiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 93% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.8 | 93.1 | 93.2 | 92.4 | 91.2 | 90.8 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Baton Rouge, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $750 | $9,000 | 33% |
| Utilities | $221 | $2,652 | 10% |
| Food at home | $264 | $3,168 | 12% |
| Transportation | $562 | $6,744 | 25% |
| Health care | $336 | $4,032 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $158 | $1,896 | 7% |
| Total | $2,291 | $27,492 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Baton Rouge, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $906 | $10,872 | 24% |
| Utilities | $347 | $4,164 | 9% |
| Food at home | $488 | $5,856 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,113 | $13,356 | 29% |
| Health care | $623 | $7,476 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $311 | $3,732 | 8% |
| Total | $3,788 | $45,456 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Baton Rouge, LA
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,053 | $12,636 | 23% |
| Utilities | $423 | $5,076 | 9% |
| Food at home | $696 | $8,352 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,479 | $17,748 | 32% |
| Health care | $581 | $6,972 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $400 | $4,800 | 9% |
| Total | $4,632 | $55,584 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Baton Rouge
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $900 |
| 1 bedroom | $903 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,091 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,268 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,519 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,067 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $886 |
| Median home value | $234,700 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,668/mo |
| Median household income | $49,994 |
| Rent as % of renter income Very expensive | 35.4% |
| Home value ÷ household income Moderate | 4.7× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Louisiana
12.87¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +2.5% (from 12.55¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,211 kWh a month in Louisiana ≈ $158/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +44.8% (from $2.51) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Louisiana is covered by the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Baton Rouge are 10.1% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $66,700 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 89.9. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thibodaux, LA | 48 mi | 86.5 | $2,097 | $960 |
| Lafayette, LA | 56 mi | 89.1 | $2,301 | $1,100 |
| Kenner, LA | 60 mi | 92.5 | $2,374 | $1,179 |
| Metairie, LA | 65 mi | 92.5 | $2,452 | $1,175 |
| New Orleans, LA | 76 mi | 93.5 | $2,442 | $1,251 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, OH | 89.9 | $2,095 | $851 |
| Lawrence, KS | 89.9 | $2,384 | $1,091 |
| Muncie, IN | 89.9 | $2,158 | $904 |
| Marshfield, WI | 90.0 | $2,188 | $842 |
| Greenville, NC | 89.9 | $2,267 | $1,007 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 89.8 | $2,295 | $1,055 |
Compare Baton Rouge with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Baton Rouge, LA an expensive place to live?
Baton Rouge has a local cost of living index of 89.9, which is 10.1% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Baton Rouge, LA metro area (90.8) and adjusts housing to Baton Rouge's own rents. It is 1.7 points above the Louisiana average. It is the 4th most expensive of the 9 Louisiana cities in our data. Cheaper than 93% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Baton Rouge?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,291 for a single adult, $3,788 for a couple and $4,632 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $53,900 in Baton Rouge.
What is the average rent in Baton Rouge?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,067 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $903, 2 bedrooms $1,091, 3 bedrooms $1,268. The typical renter spends 35.4% of household income on rent (very expensive).
How much does a house cost in Baton Rouge?
The median owner-estimated home value is $234,700, 4.7 times the median household income of $49,994 (moderate). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,668 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Baton Rouge?
Louisiana residential electricity averaged 12.87¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.64 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Baton Rouge, LA metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 90.8) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 2205000 (Baton Rouge city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Louisiana residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources