Last updated 2026-06-15 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Below the national average, an affordable capital city with low rent.
Cost of living index (US avg = 100): 92
Median 2BR rent: $1,300/mo
Housing: 84 vs 100
Groceries: 96 vs 100
Utilities: 104 vs 100
Transportation: 96 vs 100
Healthcare: 95 vs 100
Baton Rouge pairs Louisiana culture, LSU energy, and Cajun food with below-average costs. Affordable housing is the standout, with humid summers and hurricane awareness the main trade-offs.