Rents are 2% above what Baton Rouge's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,377 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Baton Rouge, LA has changed in 5 years
Across the past five years, the going rent in Baton Rouge, LA has shifted from $1,113 to $1,377, up 23.7% 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.
Discussions about Baton Rouge
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Can you afford rent in Baton Rouge on your salary?
At $1,377/mo, how Baton Rouge rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Baton Rouge rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Baton Rouge. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Baton Rouge
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Baton Rouge is $1,377/mo as of August 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 6.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baton Rouge an affordable city for renters?
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How does Baton Rouge rent compare to other cities in Louisiana?
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What percentage of Baton Rouge residents rent vs. own?
How does Baton Rouge rent compare to the national average?
At $1,377/mo, rent takes ~33% of Baton Rouge's median household income ($49,994/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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