Moving to Baton Rouge, LA: Everything You Need to Know About Life in the Capital City

Baton Rouge: A City with Southern Soul 

The capital of Louisiana and the king of crawfish, Baton Rouge is a Southern city with style, sophistication and charisma. Its population has now grown to more than 220,000, with new residents lured as much by the fresh catch as they are by the new career options that seem to be surfacing by the day. Baton Rouge is home to Louisiana’s largest parish and the fifth largest on the Mississippi. 

The Louisiana state capital has big Southern flavor but low-key vibes, with the political presence mellowed by rolling waters of the Mississippi, languid bayous and the nearby waters of the Gulf. Its warm weather makes it a popular destination for overwintering tourists but also a fine backdrop for all manner of outdoor activities, from the annual Mardi Gras parades to bike rides on the Mississippi River Levee Trail and backyard crawfish boils.  

Baton Rouge boasts a low cost of living and a big bang for your buck. The city is dense with cultural treasures, from historic ships like the USS KIDD to architectural wonders like the Louisiana State Capitol — a stark, art deco wonder that happens to be the tallest state capitol in the country.  

Big in oil, government, shipping and education, Baton Rouge has a surer economic footing than many cities of its size, thanks to the port, major corporations like ExxonMobil and institutions like Louisiana State University (LSU).  

If you are looking for a historic city near the Gulf Coast that’s family-friendly and budget-wise, Baton Rouge may be the place for you. Learn more about the Louisiana capital below in our moving guide, where we’ll address in greater detail the cost of living, the job market, the weather, the best outdoor activities and more. 

Cost of Living in Baton Rouge: Affordable Meets Accessible 

Far less spendy than trendy NOLA, one of Baton Rouge’s biggest advantages is its modest cost of living.  

Most cities that manage a low COL index (it’s 92.8 in Baton Rouge) do so because of cheap real estate, and while locals do save big on housing compared to national rates, it’s the low-cost utilities in this portside oil town that give residents the biggest break. Baton Rouge scores just 69.6 in this category, compared to the average American city’s score of 100. The median home value in Baton Rouge is  $227,000 — nearly $80,000 less than the national rate — and the median gross rent in Baton Rouge rises only a single dollar above $1K.  

But income levels are no carrot in the Red Stick, making it hard to afford even these more modest amounts. At $41,651, the median household income in Baton Rouge is barely more than half the national amount. One bright spot is that individuals in Louisiana pay no state taxes on earnings from federal benefits like Social Security and military pensions, and state pensions are also not taxed by Louisiana.*  

According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, an individual living in Baton Rouge would need a minimum income of $38,991 to break even. MIT estimates the typical expenses for one working adult without kids in Baton Rouge to be as follows:  

• Food: $4,195 
• Medical expenses: $2,979 
• Housing: $12,623 
• Transportation: $11,347 
• Civic: $2,589 
• Internet/Mobile: $1,488 
• Misc: $3,770 
• Annual Taxes: $7,123 

Baton Rouge’s Job Market and Economy: Capital of More Than Just Politics 

Baton Rouge was a hot property long before it ever became an American city, but things really heated up when the Standard Oil Company moved in. And since the construction of that first refinery in 1909, energy has been the mainstay of the region — and ExxonMobil and Shell are still two of the area’s most powerful employers. But oil isn’t the only industry fueling the Baton Rouge economy (shameless pun intended). The Dow Chemical Company is based in nearby Plaquemine/St. Charles and Turner Industries, an industrial construction company, employees thousands in the area. Even Raising Cane’s main roost is headquartered in Baton Rouge.  

Beyond the oil industry, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge supports numerous jobs in the region. It’s positioned in one of the most critical deepwater shipping channels in the country, and there’s excellent access here to ocean transit, the Mississippi River, airways, roads and railways. Baton Rouge’s tech industry is also heating up, growing by 30% over the last five years. 

Educational institutions bolster the region’s productivity even further, and they also provide critical infrastructure for community stability and support for cutting-edge research. Louisiana’s flagship institution, LSU, has nearly 35,000 students and made the U.S. News’ top 100 list of public schools. Southern University and A&M College, an HBCU founded in 1880, offer a variety of academic programs from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees. Baton Rouge Community College also serves students throughout the region.  

Although unemployment has been on the rise of late, hitting 4.9% in June of 2025, Baton Rouge still has a diverse array of industry strengths to fall back on. The capital city’s biggest employment sector is the government, followed closely by trade, transportation and utilities. With employers like LSU, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Our Lady of the Lake Health, education and health services is a close third. But professional and business services and construction aren’t far behind, followed by leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing, which support over 31,000 jobs in the city.  

Outdoor Fun and Recreation in and Around Baton Rouge 

Baton Rouge is home to more than 180 parks, with jogging trails, splash pads and six public golf courses. One of the coolest spots in the BREC system is Perkins Road Community Park — a haven for extreme sports that boasts a killer 30,000-sf skate park, a BMX raceway and even a velodrome — one of only a handful in the country.  

In the heart of the city, Baton Rouge’s Downtown Greenway winds its way north from Expressway Park through the Historic Beauregard Neighborhood and connects with the longer Mississippi River Levee Trail in the Arts & Entertainment District. Cyclists and ambitious runners can follow the Levee Trail for 13 miles along the River Road, where you’ll pass by the USS KIDD Veterans Museum, LSU and one of our favorite dining spot near the trail’s end — Roberto’s River Road Restaurant — where you can treat yourself to a fried catfish po’boy and something cool and sudsy to wash it down.  

With manicured shorelines and a serene vibe, LSU’s University Lakes are another popular walking and jogging spot, where you might spy a flock of migrating white pelicans. 

Baton Rouge is bayou country, though, so a lot of the outdoor action is on the water itself. You can learn about BR’s unique ecology at the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, where thousands of critters from crawfish to coyotes make their home amongst the cypress trees.  

Just west of Baton Rouge lies the Atchafalaya Basin and National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area larger than the Everglades where bald eagles come to nest. Hunting and fishing are permitted here (with restrictions), and there are boat launches for those who really want to get in the thick of things. Remember, though, it doesn’t get much wilder than these Louisiana waters, and you might find yourself face to face with one of the Pelican State’s many serpents if you’re careless. More than 65 kinds of reptiles and amphibians make their watery homes here, along with black bears, foxes and even nutria. 

On the east side of the region, Tickfaw State Park is the perfect place for a weekend getaway, and their cabins and campsites mean you can make your experience as rustic — or modern — as you like. We won’t tell if you packed your Roku stick and a case of prosecco. Trade you for a s’more?  

Festivals, Music and Events: Where Baton Rouge Comes Alive 

Tailgates, gator bites and garish tiger gear are all mainstays of LSU game days — one of many community-wide events in Baton Rouge. This is a city that really knows how to party, though Baton Rouge festivals are a bit more restrained than their New Orleans counterparts.  

Mardi Gras merrymaking in the Red Stick is no NOLA to be sure, but the family-friendlier festivities in Baton Rouge do have their advantages, like being able to remember everything that happened! Costumes and king cakes will still be everywhere you look, and the signature pink flamingos of Spanish Town’s celebrations really set the capital city’s spirits apart. The Mystic Krewes will parade through the streets for a full week, including the mystic mutts, actual dogs who shake what their furry, barkin’ mommas gave them to raise money for CAAWS, an animal welfare organization. 

The capital city’s annual New Year’s festival, Red Stick Revelry, brings live music and entertainment to the David Rhorer Stage, and when the red stick drops at midnight, fireworks illuminate the waters of the Mighty Miss’ for the first night of the new year.  

In the springtime, the Baton Rouge Blues Fest brings soulful swamp magic to this river city for a weekend of free tunes and fun. Live After Five concerts do the same in spring and fall, when musicians from a wide array of genres perform just down the street from the State Capitol and the Old Governor’s Mansion. But if the bands play right, Governor Landry will be able to hear the beats from his actual home in Broussard.  

Baton Rouge Food Scene: Come Hungry, Stay Happy 

With a food scene as deep as the water is wide, Baton Rouge cuisine is anchored by Cajun and Creole staples like gumbo, jambalaya and étouffée, brightened by inventive chefs bringing new life to the local catch.  

For those who pray to the gods of the beignet, brunch is basically a religion in Baton Rouge. When you need a quick, powdered-sugary fix, our everyday go-to is Coffee Call, where an amaretto royale café au lait and a pile of pillowy dough clouds await you.  

If you have time for a proper meal, SoLou is the spot for a leisurely, luxurious bayou brunch. Boudin queso, shrimp & grits and crabmeat cheesecake are just a few of the savory highlights on this creative menu. But our low-country hearts can never resist the sweet potato pancakes with candied pecans and whipped orange butter. While it’s not a Louisiana invention, Zeeland Street’s breakfast burger — made with house-ground beef and a jammy egg — is our fave post-late-night fix.  

Parrain’s is so old-school, it’s hard to believe it got its start in the 21st century. With ducks and decoys and the occasional ship’s wheel on the wood-paneled walls, this is the place to come for Bayou classics like boudin balls, shrimp vermillion and crawfish po’boys. The Chimes is wildly popular, too, and it just opened a fourth location in the state.  

Festivals are the best way for newcomers to immerse themselves in the culture. The Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival will dip those dry toes into the deep end, and you can even enter your own cooking into the festival’s contest. When you’ve mastered the art of frying okra or pork rinds, that’s when you’ll know you’re officially a local. Stock up on ingredients at the Red Stick Farmer’s Market and get pro-Lou cooking tips on the Bite & Booze radio show, hosted by Food Network star Jay Ducote. 

Weather in Baton Rouge: What You’re Signing Up For 

Snowbirds may enjoy the respite from ice and slush during the winter, but you have to really love the heat to survive a Baton Rouge summer. Temps will easily hit the 90s from June-August, and humidity levels will keep your glasses fogged anytime you step into the outdoors.  

The region sees an average of 62 inches of rain a year, which means that if you lie still too long outside, ferns and lichens may start to sprout from your ears, along with quaint mushrooms and giant swamp cypress.  

Temperatures do cool off by fall, but it might still be 70°F on Thanksgiving. Most of winter feels more like spring, with temperatures rarely dropping below 40°F, and snow a rarer sight than Santa’s sleigh. Santa rides a boogie board in the Gulf states, after all.  

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Baton Rouge 

Is Baton Rouge a good place to live? 

With wide ranging cultural amenities and a powerful sense of community, Baton Rouge has a great balance between big-city offerings and small-town vibes.  

What is the cost of living in Baton Rouge, LA? 

Baton Rouge has a modest COL, scoring just 92.8 on the composite index, compared to the U.S. average of 100. While the basics usually cost less here, Red Stick residents seem to save the most on utilities over other expenses.  

How is the job market in Baton Rouge? 

Baton Rouge’s economy isn’t reliant on just one sector to keep it afloat — everything from education to energy has a strong foothold here. And, though unemployment has been on the rise, BR’s rate of 4.5% remained in line with national trends.  

What is Baton Rouge known for? 

The “Red Stick,” as it’s familiarly called, is famous for everything from crawfish to crude oil production. As Louisiana’s capital, it is the home of LSU and a historic hub near the mouth of the Mississippi.   

Make Your Move to Baton Rouge  

Choosing a professional moving company for your relocation to Baton Rouge is a big decision. Mayflower has been in the business since 1927, and our nationwide network of movers will be with you Every Step of the Way®. In the past 100 years, we’ve helped millions of families move to cities all across the U.S. In fact, Mayflower is America’s most-trusted moving company.   

Get a moving quote now for Baton Rouge. 

Moving cross-country to Baton Rouge? Working with our long-distance movers simplifies the process. Mayflower offers full-service moving packages that can be customized to your needs. Need help packing and unpacking? Want storage for your belongings before, during, or after your move? Mayflower can even handle debris removal and shipping your cars. You’ll work with a personal move coordinator on all the details. 

Moving locally within Louisiana? If you’ll be moving to Baton Rouge from another city in Louisiana or another part of the Baton Rouge area, Mayflower’s interstate Louisiana agents/movers can assist you with local moves under their own businesses and brands. 

Even if you want to handle your own move to Baton Rouge, Mayflower has moving resources for you. Follow our moving checklist and planner to stay on budget and on track during your move. Wondering what the best order to pack rooms is? Need help understanding what’s included in a moving quote? Mayflower’s blog has tips on everything related to moving, from keeping your cat calm on the long car ride to helping your kids settle in after the move. Welcome HOME magazine has Mayflower’s latest advice on the best way to move.

Still have one eye on another city or state? That’s okay! If you’re not 100% set on moving to Baton Rouge, Mayflower’s city guides and state guides can help you decide where the best place in the U.S. is for you and your family.   

Get a quote on moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

*We are not tax experts and are not offering tax advice, other than you should consider obtaining additional information and advice from your legal and/or financial advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances.