City profile
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana capital with strong Black culture, Southern University (HBCU), and very affordable living.
Climate
Climate type
Humid subtropical
Winter avg
52°F
Summer avg
82°F
Sunny days / yr
216
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$215,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,250
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
89
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.55%
- State income tax (top)
- 3%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 10.11%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 98/100
Top hazards: Tornado, Cold wave, Lightning
Nearest major airport
63 mi to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 55% Democratic / 44% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
222,771
Growth since 2019
-0.6%
Median age
31.5
Residents 65+
14.7%
Median household income
$49,994
Income growth since 2019
+12.4%
Black household income
$35,823
Home ownership
47.8%
Poverty rate
25.7%
Poverty rate, 65+
14.0%
Race & ethnicity: Black 50.4% · White 34.8% · Hispanic 6.2% · Asian 4.0% · Other 4.7%
Crime (per 100,000 residents)
Recent crime data for Baton Rouge Police Department isn't reported to the FBI, so it couldn't be included.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Baton Rouge Police Department. State average: violent 466, property 1,860.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸More retirees are leaving LA than arriving, mostly over cost
- ▸Home insurance is very expensive or hard to get here — get quotes before you buy
- ▸Home prices are softening in 2026 — more room to negotiate
- ▸Part of the New Great Migration — a growing Black community in the South
Highlights
- Southern University and A&M College
- Very affordable housing
- Rich Cajun and Creole culture
- Low property taxes
Trade-offs
- Higher crime rates
- Flooding risk
- Limited public transit
- Fewer entertainment options
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.