Updated November 7, 2026 · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Cost of Living in Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge, LA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Baton Rouge, LA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

How expensive is Baton Rouge, LA?

With a price level of 90.8 (U.S. average = 100), Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 26% below average; everyday goods are 6% below average; utilities are 29% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining are 4% below average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.

Prices in Baton Rouge, LA vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Baton Rouge, LA

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Salary needed to live in Baton Rouge, LA

To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:

Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Louisiana 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.

A monthly budget on the median wage

A single worker earning Baton Rouge, LA's median wage of $48,710 takes home about $3,354 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,048, which is 31% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,306 a month for everything else.

Take-home pay in Baton Rouge, LA

Highest-paying jobs in Baton Rouge, LA

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Baton Rouge, LA vs. similar-size cities

Frequently asked questions

Top salaries by field in Baton Rouge, LA

Management Occupations

• General and Operations Manager — $107,140
• Managers, All Other — $105,340

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Accountant and Auditor — $73,070
• Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $61,110

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $79,180
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $60,690
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $59,310
• Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $26,880

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Registered Nurse — $81,130
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $59,700

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Nursing Assistant — $31,220
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $23,040

Protective Service Occupations

• Security Guard — $36,500

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $37,380
• Cooks, Restaurant — $29,910
• Food Preparation Worker — $24,450
• Fast Food and Counter Worker — $23,650
• Waiter and Waitress — $15,080

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $28,690

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $64,540
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $47,400
• Retail Salesperson — $30,070
• Cashier — $27,110

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $61,710
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $46,740
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $40,910
• Customer Service Representative — $38,760
• Receptionist and Information Clerk — $33,750
• Office Clerks, General — $32,520

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $78,870
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $74,240
• Electrician — $65,330
• Carpenter — $55,630
• Construction Laborer — $38,650

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $46,150

Production Occupations

• Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender — $93,920
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $78,170

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $54,840
• Light Truck Driver — $41,450
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $36,450
• Stocker and Order Filler — $34,840

Other cities in Louisiana

• New Orleans, LA
• Lafayette, LA
• Shreveport, LA
• Lake Charles, LA
• Slidell, LA
• Monroe, LA
• Houma, LA
• Alexandria, LA
• Hammond, LA

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