Chicago, IL vs Baton Rouge, LA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Chicago is the more expensive housing market by roughly 29%; Chicago earns more at the median (34% higher), partly offsetting the cost difference. Whether that math works depends on what fraction of housing cost a relocating household plans to absorb.
Median Home Value
$315,200
$224,500 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$224,899
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo
$1,044/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
46.9%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
17.9x
Median Household Income
$75,134 ✓
$49,944
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$33,415
Unemployment Rate
7.9% ✓
9.1%
Poverty Rate
16.8%
25.0%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
23.2 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
75.0%
Public Transit %
19.3%
1.6%
Work From Home %
18.3%
7.1%
State Income Tax
5.0%
4.3%
Total Sales Tax
8.7% ✓
9.5%
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
0.6%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
20.0%
Median Age
35.7
31.8
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
—
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
65.6"
Chicago, IL 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge, LA 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
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