Louisiana · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA

Prices around East Baton Rouge Parish, LA run 9.2% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $63,071 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,204 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $48,160 a year.

East Baton Rouge Parish, LA at a glance

Median household income

$63,071$5,256 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,204HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)90.8-9.2% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity13.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential LA
Population452,938Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,204Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$48,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,577At 30% of $63,071
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Baton Rouge, LA HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,032$12,384$41,28019.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,064$12,768$42,56020.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,204$14,448$48,16022.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,511$18,132$60,44028.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,943$23,316$77,72037%

Rent in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $63,071 a year ($5,256 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,628/moRent ($1,204 2-BR), utilities (~$121/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,577/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,051/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $63,071 leaves after Louisiana taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Louisiana tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$63,071
$25,000$130,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$63,071
Net 81%
Fed 9%
LA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$51,352After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,279Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,975Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,389 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$1,506 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,825 / yr

Living in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA: common questions

What is the median household income in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA is $63,071 per year (approximately $5,256 per month).

What is the average rent in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,032 for a studio, $1,064 for one bedroom, $1,204 for two, $1,511 for three and $1,943 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is East Baton Rouge Parish, LA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 9.2% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 90.8, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA?

To keep a $1,204 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $48,160 a year, or $4,013 a month. That is 76% of what the typical household in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA?

On the local median income of $63,071 ($5,256 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,628 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,577 for everything else and $1,051 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,204 takes 46% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA?

Homes in Louisiana paid 13.5¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $121. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.