Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Tacoma?

Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Tacoma?

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

Baton Rouge vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

$1,010/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Baton Rouge, LA is roughly 33% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge, LA and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 40% higher in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$881

$1,178

+34% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$854

$1,332

+56% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,075

$1,693

+57% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,241

$2,094

+69% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$224,500

$454,600

+102% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$49,944

$83,857

+68% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,710

$72,610

+49% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

31.8 yr

37.3 yr

+5.5 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

46.9%

56.5%

+9.6 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

33.5%

+2.3 pp in Baton Rouge, LA

Avg Commute

21.1 min

29.0 min

+7.9 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

305

1,064.4

+249% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

1,756.3

5,695.2

+224% in Tacoma, 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

52.1°F

+16.4°F in Baton Rouge, LA

Annual Precipitation

60.6 in

43.0 in

+17.6 in in Baton Rouge, LA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.12/gal

+41% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.2

14.9

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.62

$20.41

+23% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Baton Rouge, LA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baton Rouge or Tacoma?: Baton Rouge, LA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 33% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baton Rouge than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Baton Rouge versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Baton Rouge or Tacoma?: Baton Rouge is taxed under Louisiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).