Median rent is 38% lower in Baton Rouge ($1,067/mo vs $1,729/mo). Buying is cheaper in Baton Rouge, where the median home runs $234,700 versus $555,300. Households earn more in Austin ($93,658 vs $49,994 a year). Taken together, Baton Rouge is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 93.4 against 98.3 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Austin, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Baton Rouge is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 93.4 in Baton Rouge vs 98.3 in Austin (US national average = 100)
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Baton Rouge, LA
How much would you need to earn in Baton Rouge, LA to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
Equivalent salary in Baton Rouge, LA
$71,267
You could earn $3,733 less (5% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Baton Rouge
Louisiana
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Baton Rouge — median rent of $1,067/mo versus $1,729/mo in Austin, a 38% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $555,300 versus $234,700 in Baton Rouge — 58% more expensive.
Metric
Austin
Baton Rouge
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Austin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Baton Rouge
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Baton Rouge has cleaner air on average: 61.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Baton Rouge if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 93.4 vs 98.3).
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($93,658/yr).
Pick Baton Rouge if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,067/mo median).
Baton Rouge is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 93.4 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Baton Rouge.
Median rent is $1,729/mo in Austin, TX and $1,067/mo in Baton Rouge, LA. Baton Rouge, LA has the lower rent by about 38%.
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin, TX and $49,994 in Baton Rouge, LA. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Baton Rouge, LA has better air quality on average: 61.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Austin, TX is equivalent to roughly $95,023 in Baton Rouge, LA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
