Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Frederick?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $57,000 in Frederick.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Frederick?

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

Baton Rouge vs Frederick Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Frederick

Maryland

$1,640/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 $1,640 in Frederick, MD. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Frederick, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $95,150 in Frederick, MD — about 48% higher in Frederick, MD. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Frederick, MD

Rent

Studio

$881

$1,658

+88% in Frederick, MD

1 Bedroom

$854

$1,418

+66% in Frederick, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,661

+55% in Frederick, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,863

+50% in Frederick, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$365,200

+63% in Frederick, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$95,150

+91% in Frederick, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$71,060

+46% in Frederick, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

37.1 yr

+5.3 yr in Frederick, MD

Homeownership

46.9%

59.2%

+12.3 pp in Frederick, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

41.8%

+6.0 pp in Frederick, MD

Avg Commute

21.1 min

30.1 min

+9.0 min in Frederick, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

406

+33% in Frederick, MD

Property Crime

1,756.3

1,696.3

+3% 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

52.1°F

+16.4°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

—

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Frederick, MD

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

21.8

+54% in Frederick, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$18.94

+14% in Frederick, 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 (LA / MD)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

6.50%

+3.5 pp in MD

Baton Rouge vs Frederick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Frederick?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Frederick, MD's $1,640, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Frederick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $57,000 in Frederick.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Frederick?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Frederick under Maryland's (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).