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Baton Rouge, LA

Cost of living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

East Baton Rouge Parish, LA

Part of the Baton Rouge Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,006/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 452,821 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,081 36%
Healthcare $480 16%
Federal tax $473 16%
Transport $320 11%
Groceries $315 10%
Energy $186 6%
State tax $96 3%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Baton Rouge

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,063
per month
1 bedroom
$1,081
per month
2 bedroom
$1,222
per month
3 bedroom
$1,528
per month
4 bedroom
$2,023
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Baton Rouge

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$63,075
per year
Individual earnings
$38,972
per year
Per capita
$38,131
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Baton Rouge

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$241,800
Annual property tax
$1,547

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Baton Rouge

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$152
per month · 12.7¢/kWh
Natural gas
$34
per month
Annual total
$2,232
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Baton Rouge

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Baton Rouge

State and local tax rates for Louisiana.

State income tax
4.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.5%
Combined sales tax
9.6%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Baton Rouge

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.6 min
Drive alone
78.7%
Public transit
1.1%
Work from home
7.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Baton Rouge

What it costs to live in Baton Rouge each month.

Single person
$3,006
per month
  • Rent $1,081
  • Energy $186
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $315
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $473
  • State tax $96
Couple
$4,193
per month
  • Rent $1,222
  • Energy $223
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $522
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $702
  • State tax $175
Family
$6,621
per month
  • Rent $1,528
  • Energy $279
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $792
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $702
  • State tax $175

Frequently asked questions about Baton Rouge

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Baton Rouge?

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,081 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,222 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,528 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Baton Rouge?

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the average household income is $63,075 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $38,972 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Baton Rouge?

The estimated cost of living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is approximately $3,006 per month for a single person, $4,193 for a couple, $6,621 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Baton Rouge?

The combined sales tax rate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is 9.55%, which includes the Louisiana state rate of 4.45% plus an average local rate of 5.10%.

Is Baton Rouge an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Baton Rouge, Louisiana would need approximately $3,006 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $63,075 per year ($5,256 per month). Baton Rouge has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Baton Rouge?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Baton Rouge?

The average home value in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is $241,800, with average annual property taxes of $1,547, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Baton Rouge compare to other areas?

You can compare Baton Rouge, Louisiana with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Baton Rouge is in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area.

Other counties in Louisiana

Browse the full list of counties in Louisiana, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Louisiana

Compare Baton Rouge with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources