CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Baton Rouge, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Baton Rouge
90.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Baton Rouge is moderately cheaper than Anchorage — 13.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $68,900 in Baton Rouge. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing32.5%
Anchorage
109.9
Baton Rouge
74.2
🛒 Groceries12.7%
Anchorage
107.3
Baton Rouge
93.7
🚗 Transportation7.4%
Anchorage
108.5
Baton Rouge
100.5
🏥 Healthcare7.4%
Anchorage
98.2
Baton Rouge
90.9
Utilities36.3%
Anchorage
111.8
Baton Rouge
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anchorage to see what you'd need to earn in Baton Rouge to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Baton Rouge, LA
$68,900
$11,100 less needed in Baton Rouge

Formula: salary × (90.8 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.8615. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Baton Rouge, LA

Median Home Price
$240,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
74.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Anchorage has 32.5% lower housing costs compared to Baton Rouge.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Baton Rouge, LA

Median Household Income
$64,600
Per Capita Income
$36,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
227,470
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Baton Rouge, LA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.