Cost of Living: Baton Rouge, LA vs Abilene, TX (2026)

Baton Rouge

Louisiana
73
VS

Abilene

Texas
71

Baton Rouge and Abilene have a similar cost of living.

$1,044/mo ↓ 6%
Median Rent
$1,106/mo ↑ 6%
$49,944/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$62,720/yr ↑ 26%
$224,500 ↑ 25%
Home Value
$178,900 ↓ 20%
$1,043/mo ↓ 6%
Owner Costs
$1,114/mo ↑ 7%
223,699
Population
127,130

Tax Comparison

4.25%
Income Tax
0%
4.45%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.55%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Baton Rouge, LA and Abilene, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 73 and 71 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $62/month cheaper in Baton Rouge, saving renters about $744/year.

Median household income is $12,776/year higher in Abilene. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Baton Rouge is $224,500 compared to $178,900 in Abilene.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Abilene residents a significant tax advantage over Louisiana's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Baton Rouge vs Abilene — common questions

Is Baton Rouge or Abilene cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Abilene is cheaper to live in with an index of 71 compared to 73 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Baton Rouge and Abilene?
Median rent in Baton Rouge is $1,044/month and in Abilene it's $1,106/month — a difference of $62/month.
Which city has higher income, Baton Rouge or Abilene?
Median household income is $49,944 in Baton Rouge and $62,720 in Abilene. Median household income is $12,776/year higher in Abilene.
How do taxes compare between Louisiana and Texas?
Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Baton Rouge or Abilene?
It depends on your priorities. Baton Rouge has a cost index of 73 with median rent of $1,044/mo, while Abilene has a cost index of 71 with rent of $1,106/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Baton Rouge details → View Abilene details →

More Comparisons

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