Baton Rouge wins overall by ~19% (COL index)
Cost of living: Baton Rouge vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Baton Rouge buys roughly what $73,793 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$10,708/yr
Favoring Baton Rouge for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $892/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~17 months and still keep ~$107/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Baton Rouge Louisiana | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950Wins | $1,500 | Baton wins +$550/mo | $6,600/yr saves in Baton |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200Wins | $1,900 | Baton wins +$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Baton |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,600Wins | $2,600 | Baton wins +$1,000/mo | $12,000/yr saves in Baton |
| Median home price | $240KWins | $360K | Baton wins +$120K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 102 | Baton wins +6 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $15 | Baton wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $60 | Baton wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Wins | $105 | Baton wins +$60/mo | $720/yr saves in Baton |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.40 | Baton wins +$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $205 | $165Wins | Chicago wins −$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Chicago |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $212 | $165Wins | Chicago wins −$47/mo | $564/yr saves in Chicago |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Baton wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $52K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$15K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.3%Wins | 4.9% | Baton wins +0.6 pp | $360/yr saves in Baton |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.9%Better | 10.3% | Baton wins +0.4 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $16.00 | Baton wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Wins | $45 | Baton wins +$12/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $7.00 | Baton wins +$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Wins | 107 | Baton wins +20 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 24 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +54 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Baton Rouge fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Baton Rouge.
High-yield savings
Park ~$8,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Baton Rouge cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Baton Rouge is 19% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Baton Rouge vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Baton Rouge is $1,200/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Baton Rouge is cheaper by 37%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $92,241/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Baton Rouge or Chicago?
Baton Rouge has the lower state income tax rate at 4.3% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.6 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Baton Rouge to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Baton Rouge offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
More move scenarios
Planning a move?
Salary equivalent: Baton Rouge ↔ Chicago
How much would you need to earn in Chicago to match your Baton Rouge purchasing power?