Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Rochester?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Rochester?

Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Baton Rouge vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 43% higher in Rochester, MN. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$881

$1,080

+23% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$854

$1,106

+30% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,243

+16% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,646

+33% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$287,500

+28% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$87,767

+76% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$60,620

+24% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

36.4 yr

+4.6 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

46.9%

65.4%

+18.5 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

50.1%

+14.3 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

21.1 min

17.2 min

+3.9 min in Baton Rouge, LA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

158.9

+48% in Baton Rouge, LA

Property Crime

1,756.3

1,379

+21% 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

45.4°F

+23.1°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

33.0 in

+27.6 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.95/gal

+9% in Rochester, MN

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

16.9

+20% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$14.95

+10% in Baton Rouge, LA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rochester, MN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baton Rouge, LA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Rochester, MN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / MN)

6.875%

+1.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

9.85%

+6.8 pp in MN

Baton Rouge vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Rochester?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Rochester, MN's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Rochester?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).