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Baton Rouge, LA Relocation Guide (2026)

Cost of living, housing, and income data for Baton Rouge, sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Salary needed to live in Baton Rouge →

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana is home to roughly 225,500 residents. The typical household here earns $50,155 a year — below the median we track across cities (-30%).

Anyone weighing a move to Baton Rouge should know the median home value is $217,700, below the multi-city median (-33%), and median rent runs $1,010 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.

At roughly 4.3 times median income, Baton Rouge's home values sit in a balanced range compared to the cities we track. The local market has seen 2.93% price growth over the past year — solid, sustainable movement rather than a rapid runup. FEMA's National Risk Index puts Baton Rouge at Relatively High for overall natural-hazard risk, a factor that can push home insurance costs up.

Personal Affordability Check

Cost of housing in Baton Rouge

Median home value is $217,700 and median gross rent is $1,010/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.

FHFA's county-level home price index for East Baton Rouge rose 2.93% over the past year (as of 2025).

HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,204/month.

Climate & home insurance

FEMA rates Baton Rouge's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.

Safety

Baton Rouge reported a violent crime rate of 1008.7 per 100,000 residents in 2023, per FBI data.

Moving to Baton Rouge

Planning a move to Baton Rouge? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cost of living in Baton Rouge, LA?

Cost of living in Baton Rouge centers on housing: median home value runs $217,700, median rent runs $1,010/month, and the typical household earns $50,155 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Baton Rouge?

A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $1,010/month in Baton Rouge, that implies an income of about $40,400 to keep housing affordable. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Baton Rouge.

Is it better to rent or buy in Baton Rouge?

With a median home value of $217,700 and median rent of $1,010/month, renting comfortably in Baton Rouge takes about $40,400/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $49,809/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.

Is Baton Rouge safe?

FBI data puts Baton Rouge's violent crime rate at 1008.7 per 100,000 residents for 2023 — a useful benchmark alongside other cities you're weighing.

See the full salary breakdown for Baton Rouge →

Cities with a similar cost of living

Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Baton Rouge's.