Baton Rouge vs New Orleans: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana compare to New Orleans, Louisiana? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Baton Rouge is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 23% lower in Baton Rouge compared to New Orleans, while rent is 13% lower.
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $217,700 | $281,500 | -22.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,010 | $1,162 | -13.1% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $50,155 | $51,116 | -1.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $33,910 | $37,013 | -8.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.6% | 9.6% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 225,500 | 380,408 | -40.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Baton Rouge
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — New Orleans
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Baton Rouge costs $217,700 compared to $281,500 in New Orleans — a 23% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,010/mo in Baton Rouge vs $1,162/mo in New Orleans.
- Income: Median household income is $50,155 in Baton Rouge and $51,116 in New Orleans.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).