Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Casper?

Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Baton Rouge, LA's $1,000, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $31,000 in Casper.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Casper?

Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Baton Rouge vs Casper Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,000/mo est.

Casper

Wyoming

$930/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,000 in Baton Rouge, LA versus $930 in Casper, WY. Overall, Casper, WY is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baton Rouge, LA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $69,171 in Casper, WY — about 28% higher in Casper, WY. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Casper, WY

Rent

Studio

$881

$730

+17% in Baton Rouge, LA

1 Bedroom

$854

$764

+11% in Baton Rouge, LA

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$930

+13% in Baton Rouge, LA

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,299

+5% in Casper, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$250,700

+12% in Casper, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$69,171

+38% in Casper, WY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$48,880

+0% in Casper, WY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

37.0 yr

+5.2 yr in Casper, WY

Homeownership

46.9%

70.3%

+23.4 pp in Casper, WY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

30.0%

+5.8 pp in Baton Rouge, LA

Avg Commute

21.1 min

16.9 min

+4.2 min in Baton Rouge, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

302.4

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Property Crime

1,756.3

2,123.8

+21% in Casper, WY

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

45.4°F

+23.1°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

12.5 in

+48.1 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Casper, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.5

15.2

+13% in Casper, WY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$18.28

+10% in Casper, WY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Casper, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Casper, WY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Casper, WY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Casper, WY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Casper, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / WY)

+1.0 pp in LA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

None

+3.0 pp in LA

Baton Rouge vs Casper — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Casper?: Casper, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Baton Rouge, LA's $1,000, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Casper?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $31,000 in Casper.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Casper?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Casper under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).