Median rent is 15% lower in Baton Rouge ($1,067/mo vs $1,251/mo). Buying is cheaper in Baton Rouge, where the median home runs $234,700 versus $315,700. Households earn more in New Orleans ($56,631 vs $49,994 a year). Taken together, New Orleans is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.2 against 93.4 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in New Orleans, LA.
Cost of living verdict
New Orleans is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.2 in New Orleans vs 93.4 in Baton Rouge (US national average = 100)
City A
Baton Rouge, LA
City B
New Orleans, LA
How much would you need to earn in New Orleans, LA to maintain your standard of living from Baton Rouge, LA?
Equivalent salary in New Orleans, LA
$73,240
You could earn $1,760 less (2% 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
Baton Rouge
Louisiana
New Orleans
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Baton Rouge at $1,067/mo compared to $1,251/mo in New Orleans (15% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New Orleans: the median home is $315,700 versus $234,700 in Baton Rouge — 26% more expensive.
Metric
Baton Rouge
New Orleans
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.
Baton Rouge
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
New Orleans
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
New Orleans has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 61.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick New Orleans if you prioritize higher median household income ($56,631/yr).
Pick Baton Rouge if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,067/mo median).
Pick New Orleans if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 52.0).
New Orleans is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.2 versus 93.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in New Orleans.
Median rent is $1,067/mo in Baton Rouge, LA and $1,251/mo in New Orleans, LA. Baton Rouge, LA has the lower rent by about 15%.
Median household income is $49,994 in Baton Rouge, LA and $56,631 in New Orleans, LA. New Orleans, LA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
New Orleans, LA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 61.0 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 Baton Rouge, LA is equivalent to roughly $97,654 in New Orleans, 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
