Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Boise?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $45,000 in Boise.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Boise?

Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Baton Rouge vs Boise Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $81,308 in Boise, ID — about 39% higher in Boise, ID. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Boise, ID

Rent

Studio

$881

$1,021

+16% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$854

$1,133

+33% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,342

+25% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,749

+41% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$456,000

+103% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$81,308

+63% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$49,100

+1% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

38.2 yr

+6.4 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

46.9%

63.0%

+16.1 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

46.6%

+10.8 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

21.1 min

19.1 min

+2.0 min in Baton Rouge, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

301

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Property Crime

1,756.3

1,135.1

+35% in Baton Rouge, LA

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

52.5°F

+16.0°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

11.7 in

+48.9 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.29/gal

+18% in Boise, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

12.3

+13% in Baton Rouge, LA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$10.82

+35% in Baton Rouge, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / ID)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

5.30%

+2.3 pp in ID

Baton Rouge vs Boise — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Boise?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Boise?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $45,000 in Boise.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Boise?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Boise under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).