CostIndexUSA

Baton Rouge, LA vs Pasadena, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableLA
Baton Rouge
90.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
CA
Pasadena
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Baton Rouge is significantly cheaper than Pasadena — 25.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baton Rouge, you would need $100,100 in Pasadena. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+129.6%
Baton Rouge
74.2
Pasadena
170.4
🛒 Groceries+13.8%
Baton Rouge
93.7
Pasadena
106.6
🚗 Transportation+9.1%
Baton Rouge
100.5
Pasadena
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+9.0%
Baton Rouge
90.9
Pasadena
99.1
Utilities+122.8%
Baton Rouge
71.2
Pasadena
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pasadena, CA
$100,100
$20,100 more needed in Pasadena

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 90.8) = salary × 1.2511. 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×

Pasadena, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Pasadena has 129.6% 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

Pasadena, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
141,029
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareEntertainmentFinance

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)

Pasadena, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.