Cost of living, Baton Rouge
90.8
BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). Baton Rouge sits about 9.2% below national prices.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US
- −9.2%
- Metro
- Baton Rouge
- CBSA
- 12940
Baton Rouge all-items RPP is 90.8 (2024), about 9.2% below US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $81,720 here for equal purchasing power.
Price components in Baton Rouge
| Component | Baton Rouge | US |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 90.8 | 100 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 100 |
| Housing (rents) | 74.2 | 100 |
| Other services | 95.7 | 100 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.
What a US-average salary buys in Baton Rouge
| At US average | In Baton Rouge |
|---|---|
| $60,000 | $54,480 |
| $90,000 | $81,720 |
| $150,000 | $136,200 |
Local equivalent = national salary × (90.8 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.
Top wages here
FAQ
- What is the cost of living in Baton Rouge?
- The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for Baton Rouge, LA is 90.8, versus a US average of 100 (−9.2%).
- How is RPP different from CPI?
- CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
- How should I use this with OEWS wages?
- Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $81,720 in Baton Rouge for equal purchasing power.
- Does this include taxes or housing alone?
- No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Highest wages here
- Architectural and Engineering Managers , 560 OEWS emp. $165,060
- Industrial Production Managers , 690 OEWS emp. $139,860
- Mechanical Engineers , 540 OEWS emp. $135,530
- Pharmacists , 960 OEWS emp. $134,680
- Electrical Engineers , 350 OEWS emp. $133,030
- Physician Assistants , 360 OEWS emp. $130,670
See methodology and disclaimer.