Living Cost Compare
Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

vs
Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 13% higher in Baton Rouge, LA. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA
Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio
$881
$1,085
+23% in Jackson, MS
1 Bedroom
$854
$816
+4% in Baton Rouge, LA
2 Bedroom
$1,075
$991
+8% in Baton Rouge, LA
3 Bedroom
$1,241
$1,121
+10% in Baton Rouge, LA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$224,500
$108,200
+52% in Baton Rouge, LA

Income

Median Household Income
$49,944
$43,238
+13% in Baton Rouge, LA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$48,710
$42,850
+12% in Baton Rouge, LA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
31.8 yr
34.7 yr
+2.9 yr in Jackson, MS
Homeownership
46.9%
48.6%
+1.7 pp in Jackson, MS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
35.8%
28.6%
+7.2 pp in Baton Rouge, LA
Avg Commute
21.1 min
20.2 min
+0.9 min in Baton Rouge, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
305
—
Property Crime
1,756.3
—

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
65.3°F
+3.2°F in Baton Rouge, LA
Annual Precipitation
60.6 in
54.3 in
+6.3 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.62/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.2
16.2
+14% in Jackson, MS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$16.62
$27.68
+67% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / MS)
5%
7%
+2.0 pp in MS
Income Tax (top rate)
3.00%
4.00%
+1.0 pp in MS

Baton Rouge vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Jackson?
They're close. Baton Rouge, LA runs about $1,010 a month and Jackson, MS about $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Jackson?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Jackson?
Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% 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).