City Comparison

Baton Rouge vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Baton Rouge

Louisiana
91
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,982
Median Income

St George

Utah
110
Above Average
$550,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$72,400
Median Income

The Verdict

17.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.3%, with Baton Rouge being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Baton Rouge has equivalent purchasing power to $90,659 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
75
Baton Rouge
144
St George
Groceries
96
Baton Rouge
100
St George
Utilities
89
Baton Rouge
87
St George
Transportation
101
Baton Rouge
104
St George
Healthcare
93
Baton Rouge
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge has the same purchasing power as $90,659 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $62,045 in Baton Rouge.

Living in Baton Rouge vs St George

Housing Costs

Baton Rouge's housing index of 75 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $550,000. The $355,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Baton Rouge compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Baton Rouge and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Baton Rouge vs $475/month in St George. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Baton Rouge and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Baton Rouge vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 93 in Baton Rouge and 96 in St George. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $44,982 in Baton Rouge and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,431 and $65,818 respectively. St George residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,050/month to housing in Baton Rouge vs $1,689/month in St George. In Baton Rouge, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Baton Rouge is 17.3% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Baton Rouge has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,659 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Baton Rouge's housing index is 75 with median homes at $195,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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