City Report · LA

Baker

Pop. 12,253·41st most expensive in Louisiana·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,146/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.0%
vs US Median
-$816
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Baker · $1,146
More affordable than 94% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,146/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$46,000/yr
Local median income
$54,750/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Baker's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,010
1 BR
$1,030
2 BR
$1,160
3 BR
$1,450
4 BR+
$1,920
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,160/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,146 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$13,752/yr
At $1,146/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Baker, LA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 20.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,253
Median income
$54,750
Median age
33.5
Renters
30.1%
Age distribution
26.3%
27.8%
22.8%
Under 1826.3%
18–3427.8%
35–5422.8%
55–6411.8%
65+11.3%
Gender
41.3%
58.7%
Male41.3%
Female58.7%
Race & ethnicity
87.2%
White10%
Black87.2%
Hispanic1.7%
Other1%
Education (25+)
40.7%
26.8%
20.6%
No HS diploma11.9%
HS diploma40.7%
Some college26.8%
Bachelor's+20.6%
Housing tenure
69.9%
30.1%
Owner69.9%
Renter30.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Baker, LA has changed in 5 years

Income
$55,371 → $54,750
down 1.1%
Population
12,736 → 12,253
down 3.8%
Renter share
29.5% → 30.1%
+0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
18.6% → 20.6%
+2.0 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $55,371 in 2021 to $54,750 more recently. Census counts show Baker, LA losing about 483 residents over the five-year window, down 3.8% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 18.6% to 20.6% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Baker

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View Baker rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Baker on your salary?

At $1,146/mo, how Baker rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Baker rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Baker. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Baker

About renting in Baker, LA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Baker is $1,146/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,030/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,450/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($54,750/yr), Baker ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Baker an affordable city for renters?

Baker is considered affordable for renters. At $1,146/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($54,750/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Baker falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Baker?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $46,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,146/mo in Baker. The local median household income is $54,750/yr, meaning the typical Baker household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Baker?

Rent in Baker has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Baker rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

Baker is one of the more affordable cities in Louisiana for rent, ranking #41 out of 46 tracked cities at $1,146/mo.

What percentage of Baker residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.1% of Baker households are renters, while 69.9% are owner-occupied. Baker leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Baker rent compare to the national average?

Baker's median rent of $1,146/mo is $816 (42%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #41 out of 46 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,146/mo, rent takes ~25% of Baker's median household income ($54,750/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Baker 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.85–4.25%
Run the Baker affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Baker, LA

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