Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Naperville?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $64,000 in Naperville.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Naperville?

Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Baton Rouge vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Naperville

Illinois

$1,830/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 $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 67% higher in Naperville, IL. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$881

$1,713

+94% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$854

$1,594

+87% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,889

+76% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$2,446

+97% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$509,900

+127% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$150,937

+202% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$54,720

+12% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

40.1 yr

+8.3 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

46.9%

74.3%

+27.4 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

71.7%

+35.9 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

21.1 min

31.4 min

+10.3 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

85.7

+72% in Baton Rouge, LA

Property Crime

1,756.3

892.2

+49% 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

49.9°F

+18.6°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

36.9 in

+23.7 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Naperville, IL

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

23.9

+69% in Naperville, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$15.39

+7% in Baton Rouge, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Naperville, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baton Rouge, LA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Naperville, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Naperville, IL

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Naperville, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / IL)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

4.95%

+2.0 pp in IL

Baton Rouge vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Naperville?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Naperville?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).