Median rent is 15% lower in Baton Rouge ($1,044/mo vs $1,230/mo). Buying is cheaper in Corpus Christi, where the median home runs $197,100 versus $224,500. Households earn more in Corpus Christi ($66,325 vs $49,944 a year). Taken together, Baton Rouge is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 93.0 against 93.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Corpus Christi, TX.
City A
Baton Rouge, LA
City B
Corpus Christi, TX
How much would you need to earn in Corpus Christi, TX to maintain your standard of living from Baton Rouge, LA?
Equivalent salary in Corpus Christi, TX
$75,242
You'd need $242 more (0% higher).
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
Corpus Christi
Texas
👥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 $1,230/mo in Corpus Christi (15% gap). Median home values are within 12% of each other: $224,500 in Baton Rouge and $197,100 in Corpus Christi.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Louisiana tops out at 4.25% — giving Corpus Christi a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.45% in Louisiana and 6.25% in Texas; Baton Rouge has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Baton Rouge
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 4.45%
Corpus Christi
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Baton Rouge has cleaner air on average: 42.0 AQI (Good) compared to 53.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Corpus Christi if you prioritize higher median household income ($66,325/yr).
Pick Baton Rouge if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,044/mo median).
Pick Baton Rouge if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 42.0).
Pick Corpus Christi if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Baton Rouge cheaper than Corpus Christi?
Baton Rouge is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 93.0 versus 93.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Baton Rouge.
How much is rent in Baton Rouge vs Corpus Christi?
Median rent is $1,044/mo in Baton Rouge, LA and $1,230/mo in Corpus Christi, TX. Baton Rouge, LA has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Baton Rouge or Corpus Christi?
Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $66,325 in Corpus Christi, TX. Corpus Christi, TX 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 53.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Baton Rouge or Corpus Christi?
Texas has no state income tax. Louisiana has a top rate of 4.25%.
What salary do I need in Corpus Christi 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 $100,322 in Corpus Christi, TX (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