Cost of Living: Nashville, TN vs Baton Rouge, LA (2026)

Nashville

Tennessee
110
VS

Baton Rouge

Louisiana
73

Nashville is 51% more expensive than Baton Rouge.

$1,486/mo ↑ 42%
Median Rent
$1,044/mo ↓ 30%
$75,197/yr ↑ 51%
Median Income
$49,944/yr ↓ 34%
$383,100 ↑ 71%
Home Value
$224,500 ↓ 41%
$1,471/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,043/mo ↓ 29%
684,298
Population
223,699

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
0.64%
Property Tax
0.55%

Affordability

23.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Nashville, TN and Baton Rouge, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $442/month cheaper in Baton Rouge, saving renters about $5,304/year.

Median household income is $25,253/year higher in Nashville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Nashville is $383,100 compared to $224,500 in Baton Rouge.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Nashville vs Baton Rouge — common questions

Is Nashville or Baton Rouge cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Baton Rouge is cheaper to live in with an index of 73 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Nashville and Baton Rouge?
Median rent in Nashville is $1,486/month and in Baton Rouge it's $1,044/month — a difference of $442/month.
Which city has higher income, Nashville or Baton Rouge?
Median household income is $75,197 in Nashville and $49,944 in Baton Rouge. Median household income is $25,253/year higher in Nashville.
How do taxes compare between Tennessee and Louisiana?
Tennessee has 0% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.64% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to Nashville or Baton Rouge?
It depends on your priorities. Nashville has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,486/mo, while Baton Rouge has a cost index of 73 with rent of $1,044/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Nashville details → View Baton Rouge details →

More Comparisons

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