Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Albuquerque and Baton Rouge have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New Mexico salaries · Louisiana salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Albuquerque has a housing index of 80 while Baton Rouge sits at 75 (national average = 100). The median home in Albuquerque costs $260,000 compared to $195,000 in Baton Rouge, a difference of $65,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Albuquerque versus $1,100 in Baton Rouge.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Albuquerque scores 97 while Baton Rouge scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Albuquerque (94) are higher than Baton Rouge (93). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Albuquerque is $52,911 compared to $44,982 in Baton Rouge. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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