Living in Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge is the 107th-largest city in the US, home to about 223,000 people in 2025 and the capital of Louisiana. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (90.8 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 222,795-1.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $234,7004.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,067/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $49,994median, per year
- Price level
- 90.8US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 62° / 92°lows 42° / 74°
- Average commute
- 21 min8% work from home
- State income tax
- 3%top rate, flat
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County: East Baton Rouge Parish
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 46 ft
Metro area: Baton Rouge, LA
Cost of living in Baton Rouge
The median home in Baton Rouge is worth $234,700 and the median household earns $49,994 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,067 a month, about 26% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area at 90.8, with housing at 74.2 and goods at 93.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,100 here. Louisiana taxes wages at a top rate of 3% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Louisiana is 10.13%.
What would my salary be worth in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge weather
Average highs run from 62°F in January to 92°F in July, and January nights average 42°F. It gets 62 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 96 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to March and November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Baton Rouge
People and work
The median resident is 31.5 years old, and 37% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 48% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 21 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 31.547th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 37%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 48%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,56386.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%3% walk, 0.8% bike
- Unemployment
- 9.2%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 25.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1976median year
Who moves to Baton Rouge, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), Ouachita Parish, LA and Lake Charles (Calcasieu Parish). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), Dallas (Dallas County) and Fort Worth (Tarrant County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for East Baton Rouge County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, tornado, lightning, inland flooding.
Home prices
+2.8% in a year
Up 24% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Baton Rouge, LA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
36% good days
3 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Baton Rouge, LA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Baton Rouge
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Baton Rouge
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport BTR | 5 mi | 419,446 |
| Lafayette Regional Airport LFT | 58 mi | 264,471 |
| Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY | 60 mi | 6,537,092 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Baton Rouge
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | 9 mi | 30,594 | $19,286 | 68% |
| Southern University and A & M College | 7 mi | 5,519 | $18,631 | 28% |
| Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | 7 mi | 821 | $12,807 | 41% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Baton Rouge
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before February 25, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 13 and the first frost comes around November 26.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Baton Rouge Ryan Airport, LA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Baton Rouge.
Wildfire smoke in Baton Rouge
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Baton Rouge on about 170 days a year, including about 20 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Baton Rouge
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 88,205 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Baton Rouge
Downtown Baton Rouge is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Baton Rouge Parish School District | Pre-K to 12 | 39,320 | 81 | 13.4 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Livingston Parish School District (26,499 students), Zachary Community School District (5,494 students), Central Community School District (4,580 students), West Baton Rouge Parish School District (4,153 students), Baker City School District (1,000 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Baton Rouge's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Baton Rouge's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Bryan, TX80% matchCompare
- Tallahassee, FL79% matchCompare
- Columbus, GA77% matchCompare
- Savannah, GA74% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Pros and cons of living in Baton Rouge
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 9% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 62°F.
- Data Commutes are short: 21 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 10.13% on average with local taxes.
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 96 days a year reach 90°F.
- Data Poverty is high: 25.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
Baton Rouge report card from locals
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Cities near Baton Rouge
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LA | 60 mi | 123,311 | $257,000 | 87.2 | Compare |
| Metairie, LA | 66 mi | 139,729 | $327,500 | 92.6 | Compare |
| New Orleans, LA | 71 mi | 362,154 | $315,700 | 92.6 | Compare |
| Gulfport, MS | 120 mi | 76,506 | $174,600 | 90.0 | Compare |
| Jackson, MS | 135 mi | 141,196 | $111,700 | 89.0 | Compare |
| Lake Charles, LA | 135 mi | 82,676 | $214,300 | 85.9 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Baton Rouge with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Baton Rouge a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, short commutes; the trade-offs are 96 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Baton Rouge side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Baton Rouge?
The Census Bureau estimates Baton Rouge had 222,795 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 226,697 in April 2020 (-1.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,100 in the Baton Rouge area. The median household here earns $49,994.
When is the best time to visit Baton Rouge?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to March and November are the most comfortable months. July averages 92°F and January 62°F for daytime highs.
What county is Baton Rouge in?
Baton Rouge is in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Baton Rouge in?
Baton Rouge is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Baton Rouge?
About 46 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Louisiana have a state income tax?
Yes. Louisiana has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Baton Rouge. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Baton Rouge, LA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Baton Rouge Ryan Airport, LA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.