Living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Baton Rouge · Census data 2020–2024

Baton Rouge has 222,771 residents with a median age of 31.5. The median household income is $49,994 (18% lower than the Louisiana median), the median home value is $234,700, the median rent is $1,067/month.

Baton Rouge at a glance

Population
222,771
Median age
31.5State: 38
Median household income
$49,994State: $60,756
Median home value
$234,700State: $216,500
Median rent
$1,067/moState: $1,064
Homeowners
47.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher
36.6%
Average commute
21 min

Is Baton Rouge a good place to live?

Pros: An average commute of 21 minutes.

Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the Louisiana median; home values 8% higher than the state median; unemployment of 9.2%; a poverty rate of 25.7%.

The weather is best in March–April and October–November.

Cost of living in Baton Rouge

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Baton Rouge the median home value is $234,700, 29% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,067 per month, which is 35.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,668 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Baton Rouge$234,700
Louisiana$216,500
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Baton Rouge$1,067
Louisiana$1,064
United States$1,413

Baton Rouge median household income

The median household income in Baton Rouge is $49,994 and the income per person is $34,731. 25.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Louisiana: 18.9%).

Median household income

Baton Rouge$49,994
Louisiana$60,756
United States$80,734

Housing in Baton Rouge: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
106,712
Owner-occupied
47.8%
Renter-occupied
52.2%
Vacant
17.3%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1976
Average household size
2.37

Baton Rouge demographics

Population
222,771
Median age
31.5
Under 18
21%
65 and older
14.2%
Households
88,205
Foreign-born
7.6%
Veterans
3.8%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White35.8%
Hispanic or Latino6.2%
Black50.5%
Asian4%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Baton Rouge ›

Education in Baton Rouge

36.6% of adults 25 and older in Baton Rouge have a bachelor's degree or higher (Louisiana: 27%), and 16.5% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Baton Rouge36.6%
Louisiana27%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Baton Rouge

Unemployment rate
9.2%State: 6.3%
Average commute
21 minState: 26 min
Work from home
8.2%
Drive alone
74.1%
Public transit
1.4%
Walk to work
3.3%
Homes with broadband
89.3%

Baton Rouge vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Baton Rouge222,771$49,994$234,700$1,067
Merrydale9,490$41,500$136,100$1,311
Port Allen4,942$59,474$181,300$958
Gardere12,223$55,409$243,300$1,157
Monticello3,999$70,441$176,000$1,284
Brownfields4,261$65,929$207,200$1,651
Brusly2,593$105,538$253,900$1,469
Addis7,252$108,041$247,400$1,273
Baker12,253$54,750$157,900$993

More for people moving to Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Baton Rouge: FAQ

What is the median household income in Baton Rouge, LA?

The median household income in Baton Rouge is $49,994, 18% lower than the Louisiana median of $60,756 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Baton Rouge?

The median home value in Baton Rouge is $234,700, compared with $216,500 in Louisiana.

How much is rent in Baton Rouge?

The median gross rent in Baton Rouge is $1,067 per month, about 35.4% of household income.

Is Baton Rouge, LA a good place to live?

Pluses: an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the Louisiana median; home values 8% higher than the state median; unemployment of 9.2%; a poverty rate of 25.7%.

What is the median age in Baton Rouge?

The median age in Baton Rouge is 31.5 years (Louisiana: 38).

How long is the commute in Baton Rouge?

The average commute to work in Baton Rouge is 21 minutes; 8.2% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Baton Rouge?

The unemployment rate in Baton Rouge is 9.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Baton Rouge?

36.6% of adults in Baton Rouge have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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