CostIndexUSA

Baton Rouge, LA vs Des Moines, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Baton Rouge
90.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
IA
Des Moines
91.7
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Baton Rouge is slightly cheaper than Des Moines — 1.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baton Rouge, you would need $80,800 in Des Moines. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+14.2%
Baton Rouge
74.2
Des Moines
84.7
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Baton Rouge
93.7
Des Moines
93.7
🚗 Transportation−2.9%
Baton Rouge
100.5
Des Moines
97.6
🏥 Healthcare−2.9%
Baton Rouge
90.9
Des Moines
88.3
⚡ Utilities+18.8%
Baton Rouge
71.2
Des Moines
84.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
→
Equivalent salary in Des Moines, IA
$80,800
$800 more needed in Des Moines

Formula: salary × (91.7 ÷ 90.8) = salary × 1.0099. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baton Rouge, LA

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

Des Moines, IA

Median Home Price
$285,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
84.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0×

Des Moines has 14.2% higher housing costs compared to Baton Rouge.

Income & Job Market

Baton Rouge, LA

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

Des Moines, IA

Median Household Income
$82,700
Per Capita Income
$47,100
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
214,237
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

75% of income left after rent (median)

Des Moines, IA
5.5×income-to-rent ratio

82% of income left after rent (median)

Baton Rouge vs other cities

Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Lafayette, LA
Index: 90.8Index: 87.2
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Lake Charles, LA
Index: 90.8Index: 85.9
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Monroe, LA
Index: 90.8Index: 83.6
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Richmond, VA
Index: 90.8Index: 97.9
Baton Rouge, LA
vs
Santa Clarita, CA
Index: 90.8Index: 113.6

Des Moines vs other cities

Des Moines, IA
vs
Cedar Rapids, IA
Index: 91.7Index: 89
Des Moines, IA
vs
Davenport, IA
Index: 91.7Index: 89.1
Des Moines, IA
vs
Iowa City, IA
Index: 91.7Index: 91.5
Des Moines, IA
vs
Fontana, CA
Index: 91.7Index: 106.4
Des Moines, IA
vs
Huntsville, AL
Index: 91.7Index: 93.1

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.