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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Baton Rouge

Louisiana
73

San Antonio is 12% more expensive than Baton Rouge.

$1,258/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,044/mo ↓ 17%
$62,917/yr ↑ 26%
Median Income
$49,944/yr ↓ 21%
$219,700 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$224,500 ↑ 2%
$1,235/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,043/mo ↓ 16%
1,458,954
Population
223,699

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Baton Rouge, LA, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 73 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $214/month cheaper in Baton Rouge, saving renters about $2,568/year.

Median household income is $12,973/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $224,500 in Baton Rouge.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Baton Rouge — common questions

Is San Antonio 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 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Baton Rouge?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Baton Rouge it's $1,044/month — a difference of $214/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Baton Rouge?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $49,944 in Baton Rouge. Median household income is $12,973/year higher in San Antonio.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Louisiana?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Louisiana has 4.25% income tax, 4.45% sales tax, and 0.55% property tax.
Should I move to San Antonio or Baton Rouge?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Baton Rouge details →

More Comparisons

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