New Orleans, LA vs Baton Rouge, LA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is 2.0% less expensive than New Orleans, LA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in New Orleans works out to about $73,500 in Baton Rouge, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 13.7% less in Baton Rouge. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,366 a month in Baton Rouge and $1,577 in New Orleans, $2,532 a year less in Baton Rouge (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $246,000 in Baton Rouge and $257,000 in New Orleans.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.9%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 13.7% lower in Baton Rouge than in New Orleans
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- New Orleans, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
All items New Orleans, LA: 92.6 Baton Rouge, LA: 90.8
Goods New Orleans, LA: 93.7 Baton Rouge, LA: 93.7
Housing (rents) New Orleans, LA: 86.0 Baton Rouge, LA: 74.2
Utilities New Orleans, LA: 71.2 Baton Rouge, LA: 71.2
Other services New Orleans, LA: 95.7 Baton Rouge, LA: 95.7
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.6 | 90.8 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 86.0 | 74.2 |
| Utilities | 71.2 | 71.2 |
| Other services | 95.7 | 95.7 |
| Category | New Orleans | Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge vs New Orleans |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.6 | 90.8 | −2.0% |
| Goods | 93.7 | 93.7 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 86.0 | 74.2 | −13.7% |
| Utilities | 71.2 | 71.2 | −0.1% |
| Other services | 95.7 | 95.7 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,577 | $1,366 | −13.4% |
| Typical home value | $257,000 | $246,000 | −4.2% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in New Orleans | $75,000 | $73,500 | −2.0% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between New Orleans and Baton Rouge has narrowed since 2008: 5.1 points then, 1.8 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- New Orleans, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.2 | 93.1 |
| 2009 | 96.1 | 91.8 |
| 2010 | 97.6 | 93.4 |
| 2011 | 97.7 | 94.6 |
| 2012 | 97.9 | 94.2 |
| 2013 | 97.4 | 94.9 |
| 2014 | 97.5 | 94.7 |
| 2015 | 96.7 | 94.7 |
| 2016 | 98.2 | 95.6 |
| 2017 | 96.5 | 93.9 |
| 2018 | 93.7 | 92.8 |
| 2019 | 94.7 | 92.8 |
| 2020 | 95.7 | 93.1 |
| 2021 | 94.4 | 93.2 |
| 2022 | 93.7 | 92.4 |
| 2023 | 91.2 | 91.2 |
| 2024 | 92.6 | 90.8 |
Goods
- New Orleans, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.1 | 96.5 |
| 2009 | 94.9 | 94.0 |
| 2010 | 96.9 | 96.7 |
| 2011 | 96.8 | 96.2 |
| 2012 | 97.0 | 95.3 |
| 2013 | 97.2 | 96.0 |
| 2014 | 97.8 | 96.2 |
| 2015 | 96.7 | 95.2 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 95.8 |
| 2017 | 97.0 | 95.5 |
| 2018 | 93.6 | 93.6 |
| 2019 | 95.1 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 94.6 | 94.6 |
| 2021 | 95.2 | 95.2 |
| 2022 | 94.0 | 94.0 |
| 2023 | 93.0 | 93.0 |
| 2024 | 93.7 | 93.7 |
Housing (rents)
- New Orleans, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.9 | 74.5 |
| 2009 | 98.9 | 78.3 |
| 2010 | 97.4 | 76.4 |
| 2011 | 94.9 | 81.4 |
| 2012 | 95.9 | 79.8 |
| 2013 | 92.9 | 81.8 |
| 2014 | 91.4 | 80.8 |
| 2015 | 88.4 | 80.5 |
| 2016 | 91.8 | 83.7 |
| 2017 | 88.1 | 78.3 |
| 2018 | 85.1 | 78.6 |
| 2019 | 89.9 | 78.8 |
| 2020 | 91.5 | 76.5 |
| 2021 | 83.2 | 75.3 |
| 2022 | 84.7 | 75.7 |
| 2023 | 77.8 | 77.2 |
| 2024 | 86.0 | 74.2 |
Utilities
- New Orleans, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 89.0 | 87.3 |
| 2009 | 74.6 | 72.9 |
| 2010 | 81.7 | 80.2 |
| 2011 | 79.9 | 78.3 |
| 2012 | 75.6 | 75.0 |
| 2013 | 80.7 | 79.8 |
| 2014 | 81.4 | 80.6 |
| 2015 | 79.6 | 78.8 |
| 2016 | 78.4 | 78.6 |
| 2017 | 76.8 | 77.5 |
| 2018 | 76.6 | 76.4 |
| 2019 | 77.8 | 77.3 |
| 2020 | 77.2 | 76.7 |
| 2021 | 80.5 | 80.6 |
| 2022 | 83.7 | 84.2 |
| 2023 | 77.6 | 76.5 |
| 2024 | 71.2 | 71.2 |
Other services
- New Orleans, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.4 | 97.7 |
| 2009 | 98.2 | 96.8 |
| 2010 | 99.7 | 98.3 |
| 2011 | 101.1 | 99.7 |
| 2012 | 101.4 | 100.3 |
| 2013 | 100.7 | 100.0 |
| 2014 | 100.6 | 100.0 |
| 2015 | 101.3 | 100.3 |
| 2016 | 102.7 | 100.7 |
| 2017 | 100.8 | 98.8 |
| 2018 | 98.2 | 98.2 |
| 2019 | 97.2 | 97.2 |
| 2020 | 99.5 | 99.5 |
| 2021 | 98.8 | 98.8 |
| 2022 | 97.3 | 97.3 |
| 2023 | 95.6 | 95.6 |
| 2024 | 95.7 | 95.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,366 in Baton Rouge vs $1,577 in New Orleans
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- New Orleans, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,098 | $1,006 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,129 | $1,019 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,136 | $1,025 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,123 | $1,014 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,143 | $1,037 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,140 | $1,048 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,132 | $1,049 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,138 | $1,094 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,135 | $1,085 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,155 | $1,074 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,153 | $1,075 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,154 | $1,078 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,161 | $1,080 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,179 | $1,084 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,171 | $1,074 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,176 | $1,071 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,195 | $1,082 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,211 | $1,083 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,208 | $1,078 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,218 | $1,073 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,228 | $1,077 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,236 | $1,088 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,252 | $1,103 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,260 | $1,100 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,280 | $1,114 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,310 | $1,153 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,362 | $1,192 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,413 | $1,211 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,446 | $1,235 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,470 | $1,261 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,473 | $1,266 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,459 | $1,236 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,474 | $1,245 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,494 | $1,272 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,501 | $1,269 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,500 | $1,269 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,508 | $1,267 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,528 | $1,286 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,541 | $1,310 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,543 | $1,305 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,561 | $1,305 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,562 | $1,320 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,551 | $1,333 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,545 | $1,320 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,561 | $1,338 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,575 | $1,358 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,577 | $1,366 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $246,000 in Baton Rouge vs $257,000 in New Orleans
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- New Orleans, LA
- Baton Rouge, LA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $211K | $177K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $214K | $179K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $216K | $180K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $219K | $182K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $219K | $184K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $222K | $185K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $224K | $184K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $225K | $184K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $223K | $181K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $222K | $181K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $223K | $185K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $226K | $189K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $229K | $193K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $226K | $192K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $227K | $191K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $227K | $190K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $232K | $194K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $237K | $197K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $239K | $195K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $241K | $196K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $248K | $200K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $250K | $200K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $251K | $201K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $258K | $205K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $262K | $209K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $270K | $212K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $277K | $215K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $282K | $220K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $286K | $227K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $291K | $233K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $290K | $232K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $282K | $230K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $278K | $233K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $274K | $238K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $266K | $238K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $259K | $238K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $257K | $239K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $257K | $242K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $254K | $241K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $253K | $242K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $252K | $244K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $252K | $241K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $253K | $240K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $254K | $242K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $257K | $245K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $258K | $246K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $257K | $246K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.