Median rent is 10% lower in Baton Rouge ($1,044/mo vs $1,155/mo). Buying is cheaper in Baton Rouge, where the median home runs $224,500 versus $259,200. Households earn more in Chattanooga ($61,028 vs $49,944 a year). Taken together, Chattanooga is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.5 against 93.0 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chattanooga, TN.
Quick verdict
Chattanooga is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 92.5 in Chattanooga vs 93.0 in Baton Rouge (US average = 100)
City A
Baton Rouge, LA
City B
Chattanooga, TN
How much would you need to earn in Chattanooga, TN to maintain your standard of living from Baton Rouge, LA?
Equivalent salary in Chattanooga, TN
$74,606
You could earn $394 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Baton Rouge
Louisiana
Chattanooga
Tennessee
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Baton Rouge at $1,044/mo compared to $1,155/mo in Chattanooga (10% gap). Median home values are within 13% of each other: $224,500 in Baton Rouge and $259,200 in Chattanooga.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Tennessee has no state income tax, while Louisiana tops out at 4.25% — giving Chattanooga a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.45% in Louisiana and 7.00% in Tennessee; Baton Rouge has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Baton Rouge
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 4.45%
Chattanooga
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 7.00%
Baton Rouge has cleaner air on average: 42.0 AQI (Good) compared to 64.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chattanooga if you prioritize higher median household income ($61,028/yr).
Pick Baton Rouge if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 42.0).
Pick Chattanooga if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Baton Rouge cheaper than Chattanooga?
Chattanooga is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.5 versus 93.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Chattanooga.
How much is rent in Baton Rouge vs Chattanooga?
Median rent is $1,044/mo in Baton Rouge, LA and $1,155/mo in Chattanooga, TN. Baton Rouge, LA has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Baton Rouge or Chattanooga?
Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $61,028 in Chattanooga, TN. Chattanooga, TN has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Baton Rouge, LA has better air quality on average: 42.0 AQI versus 64.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Baton Rouge or Chattanooga?
Tennessee has no state income tax. Louisiana has a top rate of 4.25%.
What salary do I need in Chattanooga to match my Baton Rouge income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Baton Rouge, LA is equivalent to roughly $99,474 in Chattanooga, TN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology