salaryBaton Rouge is the 2nd-largest city in Louisiana that we track, with 222,771 residents. Rent is lower than in 82% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.4 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $44,280 a year. That is $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Louisiana cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Louisiana. It is number 44 of 102 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Baton Rouge with other big cities
Compare Baton Rouge to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Baton Rouge?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Baton Rouge
| Size | Baton Rouge | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $947 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $950 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,148 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,334 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,598 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Baton Rouge overall?
Everyday prices in the Baton Rouge metro area are 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Baton Rouge
Life in Baton Rouge
What jobs pay in Baton Rouge
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $134,680 | 9.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $130,670 | 10.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,070 | 10.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $112,430 | 11.8% |
| Operations Manager | $107,140 | 12.4% |
| Lawyer | $102,070 | 13.0% |
| Software Developer | $101,900 | 13.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,700 | 14.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $88,160 | 15.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,130 | 16.4% |
| Plumber | $74,240 | 17.9% |
| Accountant | $73,070 | 18.2% |
| Electrician | $65,330 | 20.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,940 | 21.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,700 | 22.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $59,680 | 22.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,310 | 22.4% |
| Carpenter | $55,630 | 23.9% |
| Truck Driver | $54,840 | 24.2% |
| Police Officer | $48,710 | 27.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $38,760 | 34.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $36,900 | 36.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,450 | 36.4% |
| Firefighter | $33,260 | 39.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $31,220 | 42.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,070 | 44.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $29,910 | 44.4% |
| Cashier | $27,110 | 49.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $15,080 | 88.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Baton Rouge?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $521 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $234,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,470 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Baton Rouge, LA?
Renting in Baton Rouge costs a median of about $1,107 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Louisiana median is $1,165.
How much do I need to make to live in Baton Rouge?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $44,280 a year, or $21 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Baton Rouge cheap or expensive?
Baton Rouge is rated OK: rent takes 24.6% of the typical household income of $53,919. It ranks 44th cheapest of 102 Louisiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Baton Rouge?
The median homeowner in Baton Rouge pays $1,459 a year in property taxes, about 0.62% of the median home value.
Is Baton Rouge more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Baton Rouge?
The median home value in Baton Rouge is $234,700, about 4.4 times the typical yearly household income.
222,771 people live in Baton Rouge. Numbers are typical (middle) values.