CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Baton Rouge, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Baton Rouge
90.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Baton Rouge is moderately cheaper than Atlanta — 9.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $72,600 in Baton Rouge. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing33.2%
Atlanta
111
Baton Rouge
74.2
🛒 Groceries6.7%
Atlanta
100.4
Baton Rouge
93.7
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Atlanta
101.5
Baton Rouge
100.5
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Atlanta
91.9
Baton Rouge
90.9
Utilities26.0%
Atlanta
96.2
Baton Rouge
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlanta to see what you'd need to earn in Baton Rouge to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Baton Rouge, LA
$72,600
$7,400 less needed in Baton Rouge

Formula: salary × (90.8 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 0.9071. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Baton Rouge, LA

Median Home Price
$240,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
74.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Atlanta has 33.2% lower housing costs compared to Baton Rouge.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

Baton Rouge, LA

Median Household Income
$64,600
Per Capita Income
$36,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
227,470
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Baton Rouge, LA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.