Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Baton Rouge?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $34,000 in Baton Rouge.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Baton Rouge?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Baton Rouge under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Baton Rouge Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,010 in Baton Rouge, LA. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA — about 52% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Baton Rouge, LA

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$881

+29% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$854

+47% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,075

+42% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,241

+44% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$224,500

+56% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$49,944

+52% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$48,710

+18% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

31.8 yr

+9.1 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

46.9%

+12.9 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

35.8%

+17.9 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

21.1 min

+7.6 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

305

+62% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

1,756.3

+17% in Annapolis, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

68.5°F

+11.4°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

—

60.6 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Annapolis, MD

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.2

+35% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$16.62

+12% in Annapolis, MD

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / LA)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

3.00%

+3.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Baton Rouge — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Baton Rouge?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Baton Rouge?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $34,000 in Baton Rouge.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Baton Rouge?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Baton Rouge under Louisiana's (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).