Baton Rouge, Louisiana has an overall cost of living index of 93.4, which is 6.6 points below the US average of 100 — making it more affordable than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,067 per month, while the typical home is valued around $234,700. Households earn a median of $49,994 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is moderate, with an average AQI of 61. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$49,994
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,067
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$234,700
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
93.4
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,032
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,064
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,204
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$1,511
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
93.4
Goods
94.8
Rents / Housing
81.2
Services
85.8
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $103,280 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $84,000 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $58,180 |
| ⚡Electrician | $68,780 |
| 📊Accountant | $79,420 |
| 🔧Plumber | $74,160 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $297,450 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $105,500 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $131,520 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $69,460 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $112,490 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $59,720 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
222,771
Latest estimate
Median Age
31.5 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
61.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
44
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,040
Per month
Avg Home Value
$241,150
Census ACS
Healthcare Score
30.8
poor
Hospitals
12
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
89.9%
What is the cost of living index for Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 93.4. The US national average is 100, so Baton Rouge is 6.6 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Baton Rouge?
The median gross rent in Baton Rouge is $1,067 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Baton Rouge?
The median household income in Baton Rouge is $49,994 per year.
What is the median home value in Baton Rouge?
The median home value in Baton Rouge is $234,700 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 61.0, which is rated "Moderate" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Baton Rouge?
Tax data for Louisiana is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
