Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Billings?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $36,000 in Billings.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Billings?

Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Billings under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax).

Baton Rouge vs Billings Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Billings

Montana

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,010 in Baton Rouge, LA versus $1,030 in Billings, MT. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Billings, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $71,855 in Billings, MT — about 30% higher in Billings, MT. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Billings, MT

Rent

Studio

$881

$877

+0% in Baton Rouge, LA

1 Bedroom

$854

$889

+4% in Billings, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,102

+3% in Billings, MT

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,398

+13% in Billings, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$311,800

+39% in Billings, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$71,855

+44% in Billings, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$49,060

+1% in Billings, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

38.1 yr

+6.3 yr in Billings, MT

Homeownership

46.9%

64.8%

+17.9 pp in Billings, MT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

37.0%

+1.2 pp in Billings, MT

Avg Commute

21.1 min

16.7 min

+4.4 min in Baton Rouge, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

750.2

+146% in Billings, MT

Property Crime

1,756.3

3,123.5

+78% in Billings, MT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

68.5°F

48.2°F

+20.3°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

13.7 in

+47.0 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.29/gal

+18% in Billings, MT

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

14.7

+4% in Billings, MT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$8.77

+47% in Baton Rouge, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Billings, MT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Billings, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Billings, MT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Billings, MT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Billings, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / MT)

None

+5.0 pp in LA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

5.65%

+2.7 pp in MT

Baton Rouge vs Billings — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Billings?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Billings, MT's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Billings?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $36,000 in Billings.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Billings?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Billings under Montana's (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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).