Baton Rouge vs Surprise: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana compare to Surprise, Arizona? 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 38% lower in Baton Rouge compared to Surprise, while rent is 45% lower. State income tax is 4.25% in LA vs 2.5% in AZ.
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Surprise, AZ | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $217,700 | $352,600 | -38.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,010 | $1,822 | -44.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $50,155 | $87,756 | -42.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $33,910 | $37,518 | -9.6% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.3% | 2.5% | +70.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.6% | 8.4% | +14.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 225,500 | 145,591 | +54.9% |
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 — Surprise
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 $352,600 in Surprise — a 38% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,010/mo in Baton Rouge vs $1,822/mo in Surprise.
- Income: Median household income is $50,155 in Baton Rouge and $87,756 in Surprise.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.25% in Louisiana vs 2.5% in Arizona.
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).