CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Baton Rouge, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Baton Rouge
90.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Baton Rouge is moderately cheaper than Baltimore — 13.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $69,500 in Baton Rouge. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing−37.2%
Baltimore
118.2
Baton Rouge
74.2
🛒 Groceries−8.5%
Baltimore
102.4
Baton Rouge
93.7
🚗 Transportation−5.7%
Baltimore
106.6
Baton Rouge
100.5
🏥 Healthcare−5.7%
Baltimore
96.4
Baton Rouge
90.9
⚡ Utilities−35.4%
Baltimore
110.2
Baton Rouge
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Baton Rouge, LA
$69,500
$10,500 less needed in Baton Rouge

Formula: salary × (90.8 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.8689. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Baton Rouge, LA

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

Baltimore has 37.2% lower housing costs compared to Baton Rouge.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

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).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

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

75% of income left after rent (median)

Baltimore vs other cities

Baltimore, MD
vs
Hagerstown, MD
Index: 104.5Index: 94.2
Baltimore, MD
vs
Milwaukee, WI
Index: 104.5Index: 96.9
Baltimore, MD
vs
Albuquerque, NM
Index: 104.5Index: 95.5
Baltimore, MD
vs
Tucson, AZ
Index: 104.5Index: 96.9
Baltimore, MD
vs
Fresno, CA
Index: 104.5Index: 102.2

Baton Rouge vs other cities

Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 90.8Index: 87.2
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 90.8Index: 85.9
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Monroe, LA
Index: 90.8Index: 83.6
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Richmond, VA
Index: 90.8Index: 97.9
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Santa Clarita, CA
Index: 90.8Index: 113.6

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.