Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Spokane?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Spokane?

Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Baton Rouge vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 24% higher in Spokane, WA. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Baton Rouge, LA

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$881

$884

+0% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$854

$903

+6% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,192

+11% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$1,442

+16% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$326,200

+45% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$65,745

+32% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$54,660

+12% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

37.2 yr

+5.4 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

46.9%

58.3%

+11.4 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

32.6%

+3.2 pp in Baton Rouge, LA

Avg Commute

21.1 min

21.2 min

+0.1 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

683.6

+124% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

1,756.3

4,931.8

+181% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+19.6°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

17.8 in

+42.9 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Spokane, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

14.9

+6% in Spokane, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$20.41

+23% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Spokane, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (LA / WA)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

3.00%

None

+3.0 pp in LA

Baton Rouge vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Spokane?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Spokane?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).