Moving from New Orleans, LA to Baton Rouge, LA
About 5,826 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 4,395 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Baton Rouge, LA.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 19.5% of income in New Orleans, LA and 19.5% in Baton Rouge, LA.
New Orleans, LA Baton Rouge, LA (monthly)
| Monthly | New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,137 | $1,137 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $143 | $143 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,697 | $4,697 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,229 | $1,014 | −$215 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,229 | $1,014 | −$215 |
| Food | $413 | $413 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.7 | $413 | $413 | $0 |
| Transportation | $156 | $156 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.91/gal (Gulf Coast (PADD)) | $156 | $156 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $947 | $947 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.7 | $468 | $468 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.7 | $479 | $479 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,928 | $2,143 | +$215 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 14.7% of income in New Orleans, LA and 14.7% in Baton Rouge, LA.
New Orleans, LA Baton Rouge, LA (monthly)
| Monthly | New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,471 | $1,471 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $236 | $236 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,529 | $8,529 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,480 | $1,149 | −$331 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,480 | $1,149 | −$331 |
| Childcare | $1,422 | $1,394 | −$28 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $137/wk, school-age $126/wk (2022 prices, East Baton Rouge Parish, LA); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,422 | $1,394 | −$28 |
| Food | $1,202 | $1,202 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.7 | $1,202 | $1,202 | $0 |
| Transportation | $313 | $313 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.91/gal (Gulf Coast (PADD)) | $313 | $313 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $947 | $947 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.7 | $468 | $468 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.7 | $479 | $479 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $3,142 | $3,502 | +$359 |
New Orleans, LA vs Baton Rouge, LA at a glance
| Measure | New Orleans, LA | Baton Rouge, LA |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 92.6 | 90.8 |
| Housing price level | 86.0 | 74.2 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,229 | $1,014 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,480 | $1,149 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,900 | $1,456 |
| Median home value | $260,200 | $241,100 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.60% | 0.56% |
| Median household income | $62,655 | $69,599 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $152 | $143 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 5% | 5% |
| Regular gasoline | $3.91 | $3.91 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $153 | $153 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Baton Rouge, LA to keep my New Orleans, LA lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in New Orleans, LA, about $66,212 in Baton Rouge, LA (−5.4%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $114,430. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Baton Rouge, LA cheaper than New Orleans, LA?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Baton Rouge, LA is at 90.8 and New Orleans, LA at 92.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$215 a month in Baton Rouge, LA.
How many people move from New Orleans, LA to Baton Rouge, LA?+
About 5,826 people a year (±841), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 4,395 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.