Baton Rouge, LA vs Lafayette, LA

Baton Rouge, LA and Lafayette, LA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Baton Rouge scores 82 while Lafayette scores 84 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 Baton Rouge is $1,044/month compared to $1,065/month in Lafayette — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Baton Rouge is more affordable at $224,500 median vs $251,300.

Median household income in Baton Rouge is $49,944 compared to $61,454 in Lafayette (-18.7%). While Lafayette is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Baton Rouge spend roughly 25.1% of their income on rent, more than the 20.8% in Lafayette.