Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Philadelphia?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Philadelphia, PA's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Philadelphia?

Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Baton Rouge vs Philadelphia Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Philadelphia, PA. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Philadelphia, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA — about 18% higher in Philadelphia, PA. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Philadelphia, PA

Rent

Studio

$881

$1,126

+28% in Philadelphia, PA

1 Bedroom

$854

$1,189

+39% in Philadelphia, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,394

+30% in Philadelphia, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,406

+13% in Philadelphia, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$232,400

+4% in Philadelphia, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$60,698

+22% in Philadelphia, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$54,310

+11% in Philadelphia, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

35.1 yr

+3.3 yr in Philadelphia, PA

Homeownership

46.9%

52.3%

+5.4 pp in Philadelphia, PA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

34.6%

+1.2 pp in Baton Rouge, LA

Avg Commute

21.1 min

32.0 min

+10.9 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

917.1

+201% in Philadelphia, PA

Property Crime

1,756.3

4,615.3

+163% in Philadelphia, PA

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

57.1°F

+11.4°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

48.5 in

+12.1 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.86/gal

+7% in Philadelphia, PA

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

21.6

+52% in Philadelphia, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$19.17

+15% in Philadelphia, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Philadelphia, PA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Philadelphia, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Philadelphia, PA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Philadelphia, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Philadelphia, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / PA)

+1.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

3.07%

+0.1 pp in PA

Baton Rouge vs Philadelphia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Philadelphia?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Philadelphia, PA's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Philadelphia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Philadelphia?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% 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).