Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Lincoln?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Lincoln, NE's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Lincoln?

Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Baton Rouge vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Lincoln, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 29% higher in Lincoln, NE. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$881

$851

+3% in Baton Rouge, LA

1 Bedroom

$854

$879

+3% in Lincoln, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,070

+0% in Baton Rouge, LA

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,379

+11% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$248,200

+11% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$69,991

+40% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$49,800

+2% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

33.4 yr

+1.6 yr in Lincoln, NE

Homeownership

46.9%

55.8%

+8.9 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

41.0%

+5.2 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

21.1 min

18.3 min

+2.8 min in Baton Rouge, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

363.1

+19% in Lincoln, NE

Property Crime

1,756.3

2,484.4

+41% in Lincoln, NE

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

51.5°F

+17.0°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

30.9 in

+29.8 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Lincoln, NE

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

13.6

+4% in Baton Rouge, LA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$15.53

+7% in Baton Rouge, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Lincoln, NE

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baton Rouge, LA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Lincoln, NE

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Lincoln, NE

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Lincoln, NE

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / NE)

5.5%

+0.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

4.55%

+1.5 pp in NE

Baton Rouge vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Lincoln?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Lincoln, NE's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Lincoln?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).