Cost of LivingUpdated 2026-04-01

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.71 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.36 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,354, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Baton Rouge's cost-of-living index of 88 puts it below the national average of 100.

Key Numbers

Gas (Regular)

$3.71

National: $4.06

208.5%since 2000
AAA Gas Prices

Avg Rent (All)

$1,354

National: $1,900

19.5%since 2000
Zillow ZORI Metro (2026-02)

Grocery Inflation

5.27%

Year-over-year

BLS/FRED CPI

Fast Food Avg

$9.25

Combo meal

3.9%YoY

Electricity

12.46¢

per kWh · ~$112/mo

28.3%vs US avg
EIA Residential

Car Insurance

$290/mo

$3,480/yr

61.9%vs national avg
Bankrate/NAIC

Median Household Income

$63,075

35.4% goes to essentials

35.4%cost burden
Census ACS 2023
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Car Insurance

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Avg rent $1,354/mo in Baton Rouge. Browse listings:

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Grocery Prices

Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present

National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓

Eggs (dozen)

Bird flu volatility

$2.58 BLS avg

+156.4%

Milk (gallon)

$4.10 BLS avg

+44.6%

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.75 BLS avg

+354.4%

Bread (loaf)

$1.84 BLS avg

+104.0%

Chicken Breast (lb)

$2.04 BLS avg

+93.5%

Butter (lb)

$4.72 BLS avg

+24.9%

Bacon (lb)

$7.17 BLS avg

+22.6%

Cheddar Cheese (lb)

$6.73 BLS avg

+25.1%

Pasta (lb)

$1.90 BLS avg

+34.8%

Rice (5 lb)

$4.61 BLS avg

+20.7%

Coffee (12 oz)

$10.10 BLS avg

+32.0%

Orange Juice (64 oz)

Citrus shortage

$5.25 BLS avg

+43.1%

Potatoes (5 lb)

$4.13 BLS avg

+11.3%

Apples (3 lb)

$5.04 BLS avg

+17.2%

Tomatoes (lb)

$2.64 BLS avg

+28.2%

Lettuce (head)

$2.05 BLS avg

+24.2%

Cooking Oil (48 oz)

$7.83 BLS avg

+50.3%

Yogurt (32 oz)

$4.98 BLS avg

+25.1%

Cereal (family size)

$5.92 BLS avg

+27.9%

Frozen Pizza

$8.05 BLS avg

+44.3%

Dining & Restaurants

Fast Food Meal

$9.25

Casual Dining

$19.24

Monthly Spend

$290.8

+3.91% YoY

Chain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today

Combo meal / typical order for one

McDonald's

2022: $5.74

$9.25

+61.1%

Wendy's

2022: $6.47

$9.99

+54.4%

Chipotle

2022: $6.94

$10.36

+49.3%

Starbucks

2022: $3.49

$4.85

+39.0%

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Looking for an Apartment in Baton Rouge?

Average 1BR: $1,110/mo · 2BR: $1,598/mo

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Local Workforce

2024 · BLS QCEW

Total Jobs

271k

Median Weekly Pay

$1,284

$67k/yr

Top Sector

Education & Health Services

Household vs Worker Pay

$63k

household median

Employment by Sector — Baton Rouge

% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend

Education & Health Services
+13.9% 5yr$1,187/wk
17.9%

~$62k/yr

Trade, Transportation & Utilities
-3.5% 5yr$1,091/wk
15.6%

~$57k/yr

Professional & Business Services
+2.6% 5yr$1,577/wk
15.0%

~$82k/yr

Manufacturing
+2.6% 5yr$1,772/wk
11.2%

~$92k/yr

Leisure & Hospitality
-5.1% 5yr$453/wk
9.7%

~$24k/yr

Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 22033

Highest Paying Sector

Construction

$1,931/wk · $100k/yr

Most Workers (lowest wage)

Leisure & Hospitality

$453/wk · $24k/yr

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