Baker, LA vs Jena, LA

Baker, LA and Jena, LA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Baker scores 75 while Jena scores 72 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Baker is $1,031/month compared to $922/month in Jena — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Jena has cheaper rent, Baker actually has lower median home values ($146,700 vs $157,900).

Median household income in Baker is $59,451 compared to $85,955 in Jena (-30.8%). Jena offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Baker spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, more than the 12.9% in Jena.