Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Manchester?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $46,000 in Manchester.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Manchester?

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

Baton Rouge vs Manchester Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Manchester, NH. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $77,415 in Manchester, NH — about 35% higher in Manchester, NH. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Manchester, NH

Rent

Studio

$881

$880

+0% in Baton Rouge, LA

1 Bedroom

$854

$1,150

+35% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,593

+48% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,661

+34% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$336,300

+50% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$77,415

+55% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$56,530

+16% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

37.9 yr

+6.1 yr in Manchester, NH

Homeownership

46.9%

49.3%

+2.4 pp in Manchester, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

33.5%

+2.3 pp in Baton Rouge, LA

Avg Commute

21.1 min

23.8 min

+2.7 min in Manchester, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

339.5

+11% in Manchester, NH

Property Crime

1,756.3

1,691.4

+4% 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

49.2°F

+19.3°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

44.6 in

+16.1 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Manchester, NH

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

27.3

+93% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$24.53

+48% in Manchester, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Manchester, NH

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Manchester, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Manchester, NH

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Manchester, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Manchester, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / NH)

None

+5.0 pp in LA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

None

+3.0 pp in LA

Baton Rouge vs Manchester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Manchester?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Manchester, NH's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Manchester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $46,000 in Manchester.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Manchester?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Manchester under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).