Rows tagged local are specific to Baton Rouge (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Baton Rouge, LA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district East Baton Rouge Parish · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
91.2
metro-area
#43 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
93.0
metro-area
#16 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.19
metro-area
#40 of 200 metros
Median household income
$50,155
local
#2967 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$31,750
local
#2921 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
36.0 years
metro-area
#41 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
30.0%
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
5.1%
metro-area
#162 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
69.1%
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
8.56%
local
#2929 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-0.9%
local
#2513 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$217,700
local
#733 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.3×
local
#1941 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+1.5%
metro-area
#99 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$109
local
#617 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,001 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,010
local
#452 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
3,573
Median days on market
30
metro-area
#151 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.1%
state
#38 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
9.56%
state
#195 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.00%
Capital gains tax
4.25%
state
#78 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.59%
local
#354 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,275
local
#206 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
73.7 years
metro-area
#176 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.3%
metro-area
#80 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
59
metro-area
#171 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,000
state
#14 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$100
state
#83 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.10% of value (~$28/yr)
state
#105 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
12
Avg commute to work
22 min
local
#459 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
81.4%
metro-area
#187 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
40.5%
metro-area
#165 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
14.4¢/kWh
state
#27 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$130
state
#27 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#3 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$52
state
#23 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$108
state
#115 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#20 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$3,500
state
#160 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,900
state
#181 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
89.3 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#97 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$1,000
state
#179 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
53
metro-area
#157 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
2,900
metro-area
#158 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
93%
state
#87 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
1,500
metro-area
#23 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
92
metro-area
#177 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
1
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
92°F
metro-area
#163 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
43°F
metro-area
#39 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
63.4"
metro-area
#196 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
0.0"
metro-area
#1 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
9a
Frost window
02-10 → 12-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
630
state
#191 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
3,000
state
#186 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
36
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
4
Golf courses
19
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.