Living Cost Compare
Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

vs
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Indianapolis, IN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 21% higher in Indianapolis, IN. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA
Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio
$881
$933
+6% in Indianapolis, IN
1 Bedroom
$854
$963
+13% in Indianapolis, IN
2 Bedroom
$1,075
$1,132
+5% in Indianapolis, IN
3 Bedroom
$1,241
$1,304
+5% in Indianapolis, IN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$224,500
$207,000
+8% in Baton Rouge, LA

Income

Median Household Income
$49,944
$62,995
+26% in Indianapolis, IN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,710
$49,340
+1% in Indianapolis, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.8 yr
34.1 yr
+2.3 yr in Indianapolis, IN
Homeownership
46.9%
55.3%
+8.4 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
35.8%
34.2%
+1.6 pp in Baton Rouge, LA
Avg Commute
21.1 min
24.3 min
+3.2 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
305
936.6
+207% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
1,756.3
3,351.7
+91% in Indianapolis, IN

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
53.2°F
+15.3°F in Baton Rouge, LA
Annual Precipitation
60.6 in
42.4 in
+18.2 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.94/gal
+9% in Indianapolis, IN

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs IndyGo (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.2
18.1
+28% in Indianapolis, IN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$16.62
$13.70
+18% in Baton Rouge, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Indianapolis, IN
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Baton Rouge, LA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Indianapolis, IN
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Indianapolis, IN
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / IN)
5%
7%
+2.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
3.00%
2.95%
+0.0 pp in LA

Baton Rouge vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Indianapolis?
Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Indianapolis, IN's $1,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Indianapolis?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Indianapolis?
Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).