Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Henderson?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Henderson, NV's $1,580, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Henderson.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Henderson?

Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Henderson under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Baton Rouge vs Henderson Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Henderson

Nevada

$1,580/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 $1,580 in Henderson, NV. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Henderson, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $88,654 in Henderson, NV — about 44% higher in Henderson, NV. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Henderson, NV

Rent

Studio

$881

$1,442

+64% in Henderson, NV

1 Bedroom

$854

$1,437

+68% in Henderson, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,694

+58% in Henderson, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,982

+60% in Henderson, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$465,000

+107% in Henderson, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$88,654

+78% in Henderson, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$46,670

+4% in Baton Rouge, LA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

42.5 yr

+10.7 yr in Henderson, NV

Homeownership

46.9%

65.6%

+18.7 pp in Henderson, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

36.8%

+1.0 pp in Henderson, NV

Avg Commute

21.1 min

24.7 min

+3.6 min in Henderson, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

271.8

+11% in Baton Rouge, LA

Property Crime

1,756.3

1,725.7

+2% 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

69.4°F

+0.9°F in Henderson, NV

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

4.2 in

+56.5 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.09/gal

+40% in Henderson, NV

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

13.6

+4% in Baton Rouge, LA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$12.09

+27% in Baton Rouge, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Henderson, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Henderson, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Henderson, NV

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Henderson, NV

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Henderson, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / NV)

6.85%

+1.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

None

+3.0 pp in LA

Baton Rouge vs Henderson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Henderson?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Henderson, NV's $1,580, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Henderson?: 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 Henderson.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Henderson?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Henderson under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).