How much does it cost to rent in Baton Rouge, LA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Baton Rouge, LA is $1,383. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Baton Rouge cheaper than other Louisiana cities?

Baton Rouge is among the more affordable cities in Louisiana, ranking #31 out of 46 cities at $1,383/mo.

When was Baton Rouge rent data last updated?

Baton Rouge rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · LA

Baton Rouge

Name: Average Rent Prices in Baton Rouge, LA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 222,771·31st most expensive in Louisiana·Baton Rouge rents are up 6.5% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,383/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.5%

Month-over-Month

+0.5%

vs US Median

-$582

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Baton Rouge · $1,383

More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

45/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Baton Rouge's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,383/mo

Expected by trend

$1,347/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Baton Rouge's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,135

1 BR

$1,156

2 BR

$1,306

3 BR

$1,634

4 BR+

$2,170

Research median

$1,306/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$16,596/yr

At $1,383/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.5% YoY, +0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Baton Rouge, LA is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 36.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

222,771

Median income

$49,994

Median age

31.5

Renters

52.2%

Age distribution

21%

33.4%

20.9%

14.2%

Under 1821%

18–3433.4%

35–5420.9%

55–6410.5%

65+14.2%

Gender

47.4%

52.6%

Male47.4%

Female52.6%

Race & ethnicity

35.8%

50.5%

White35.8%

Black50.5%

Hispanic6.2%

Asian4%

Other3.6%

Education (25+)

12.4%

25.7%

25.3%

36.6%

No HS diploma12.4%

HS diploma25.7%

Some college25.3%

Bachelor's+36.6%

Housing tenure

47.8%

52.2%

Owner47.8%

Renter52.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Baton Rouge, LA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,113 → $1,383

up 24.3%

Income

$46,282 → $49,994

up 8.0%

Population

225,539 → 222,771

down 1.2%

Renter share

51% → 52.2%

+1.2 pts

Bachelor's+

35.2% → 36.6%

+1.4 pts

Median age

32.1 → 31.5

-0.6 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Baton Rouge, LA has shifted from $1,113 to $1,383, up 24.3% since 2021. On the earnings side, the typical household in Baton Rouge, LA now reports about $49,994, up from $46,282 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Baton Rouge, LA losing about 2,768 residents over the five-year window, down 1.2% on net. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Baton Rouge, LA reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Baton Rouge

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View Baton Rouge rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Baton Rouge on your salary?

At $1,383/mo, how Baton Rouge rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $82,198/yr · Rent = 20.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $58,360/yr · Rent = 28.4% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $67,225/yr · Rent = 24.7% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $120,156/yr · Rent = 13.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $153,529/yr · Rent = 10.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $54,645/yr · Rent = 30.4% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $49,338/yr · Rent = 33.6% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $60,813/yr · Rent = 27.3% income

affordable

By apartment size

Baton Rouge rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Baton Rouge

About renting in Baton Rouge, LA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Baton Rouge is $1,383/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,135/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,306/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,156/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,634/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($49,994/yr), Baton Rouge ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Baton Rouge an affordable city for renters?

Baton Rouge is considered moderate for renters. At $1,383/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($49,994/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Baton Rouge slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Baton Rouge?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,383/mo in Baton Rouge. The local median household income is $49,994/yr, meaning the typical Baton Rouge household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Baton Rouge?

Rent in Baton Rouge has increased 6.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Baton Rouge neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Baton Rouge are 70815 ($942/mo), 70805 ($977/mo), and 70816 ($1,093/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Baton Rouge is $1,383/mo.

How does Baton Rouge rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?

Baton Rouge is one of the more affordable cities in Louisiana for rent, ranking #31 out of 46 tracked cities at $1,383/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Baton Rouge?

Baker is nearby and more affordable at $1,194/mo, which is $189 less than Baton Rouge.

What percentage of Baton Rouge residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.2% of Baton Rouge households are renters, while 47.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Baton Rouge has a strong rental market.

How does Baton Rouge rent compare to the national average?

Baton Rouge's median rent of $1,383/mo is $582 (30%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Louisiana, it ranks #31 out of 46 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $1,383/mo, rent takes ~33% of Baton Rouge's median household income ($49,994/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Baton Rouge 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1.85–4.25%

Run the Baton Rouge affordability calculator →

Nearby cities