Known for its southern charm and hospitality, Baton Rouge remains one of the best towns in Louisiana.
This city’s amenities and healthcare facilities allow Baton Rouge to raise the bar, making it stand out from other places in the country.
However, opinions on living in Baton Rouge can vary, as with any city. In such a scenario, it’s best to know about the good and bad so you can make an informed decision about relocating. In the spirit of helping you make a sought decision, we’ve gathered the pros and cons of living in Baton Rouge.
So, without any further ado, let’s get going!
MORE: 10 Pros And Cons Of Living In Huntsville, AL
Pros of Living in Baton Rouge
Affordability
Baton Rouge is not only a beautiful city to reside in, but it also boasts affordability. While the national living cost average sits at 100, the living cost in Baton Rouge is 91.7.
Moving to Baton Rouge allows you to get the most value for your money. Living here allows you to save money on utilities and invest that money into getting a higher quality of life.
The housing costs in Baton Rouge are considerably low, too! According to Redfin, the current median housing price in Baton Rouge lingers at $235K, whereas the national average is $374K.
Baton Rouge is a great place to settle for if you plan to raise your children and set down the roots!
Taxes
According to Tax-Rates.org, Baton Rouge has a lower sales tax than 100% of other cities and counties in Louisiana.
Baton Rouge is a tax-friendly town with low tax rates and property taxes set at nearly 1%. The difference is noticeable, especially if you move from cities like Illinois, California, or the North East.
When you put low taxes and living costs together, moving to Baton Rouge gives you a chance to live a lavish life. Additionally, you can also consider investing the saved money to achieve further financial independence.
Employment Opportunities
With a diversified job sector, Baton Rouge enjoys a robust economy. With so many companies working in different sectors, finding a job in the country and scaling your professional career is easy.
The ideal location and crown as the state capital result in many jobs. With so many jobs, finding a job that resonates with your skills and preferences is easy. According to U. S. News, the top employers in Baton Rouge include:
- Dow Chemical Company
- Exxon Mobil
- Performance Contractors
- Turner Industries
Diversity
As you move to Baton Rouge, you will witness the town’s diversity, reflecting its Creole and French prestige.
The Baton Rouge residents celebrate the Mardi Gras celebrations with full force every year to honor its rich history. As Mardi Gras happens, the city evolves into its colorful soul and gives the residents a chance to have a blast.
The Mardi Gras also allows you to explore various dishes made from the finest Louisiana spices and fresh seafood.
The educational institutes in the city also result in students visiting Baton Rogue from all across the globe. As they arrive, they bring along their hometown culture and widen the city’s diversity, allowing you to experience cultures worldwide.
Fun Activities
With so many places to explore and visit, Baton Rouge is riddled with countless activities and events for the residents.
Whether enjoying a sunny day by the pool or an energizing music performance, Baton Rouge has it all. There is also significant scope for sporting events, making Baton Rouge a great place for sports enthusiasts.
Baton Rouge has learned a thing or two from New Orleans, which results in the town hosting an infinite number of festivals. Moving to Baton Rouge allows you to experience creative art fairs and try out unique flavorings from the many food trucks.
According to Visit Baton Rouge, the must-do things in Baton Rouge include:
- Visiting the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
- The Krew of Artemis
- Rock Climbing at Uptown Climbing
Cons of Living in Baton Rouge
Traffic
If there is one thing Baton Ruge has in common with metropolitan cities like New York, it’s the frustrating airlocks and the neverending traffic.
While traffic may be somewhat enduring during the normal days, it becomes frustratingly busy during the tourism season! The town streets are riddled with cars and negligent drivers, resulting in severe traffic jams and unnecessary stops.
As you decide to move to Baton Rouge, try to plan your travel for early in the day when there’s less traffic. Also, look for a different way to get to work to avoid heavy traffic every day.
High Crime
Safety is an important aspect to consider when deciding to relocate. According to area vibes, the crime rate in Baton Rouge is 139% higher than the national average.
While safety is a serious concern when moving to Baton Rogue, settling down in a safe neighborhood is crucial. Moving to a safe neighborhood will allow you to utilize all amenities and features of the city without compromising your safety.
As an additional security measure, remain vigilant while navigating the areas and avoid traveling during odd hours. According to Cove Security, the safest neighborhoods in Baton Rogue include:
- Tiger Bend Road
- Longwood
- Goodwood.
Noisy!
Given the city’s traffic conditions, Baton Rogue is no stranger to noise pollution.
The Baton Rogue residents often complain about the city streets being filled with loud music, traffic, and the crowd making a lot of noise. Unfortunately, the noise pollution doesn’t even stop at night!
With severe noise pollution running rampant through the city, the residents complain about getting a good night’s sleep.
The noise pollutants may interrupt your sleep and cause you to wake up abruptly, resulting in a disturbed sleep schedule.
You might want to consider investing in soundproofing your house or risk waking up cranky in the morning!
Weather
Baton Rouge is characterized by a humid subtropical climate, which means residents experience mild winters and hot, humid summers.
The city is located near the Gulf of Mexico, so it’s influenced by this proximity, making the weather relatively stable but also quite humid.
During the summer months, from June through September, Baton Rouge can get quite hot with high levels of humidity. The temperatures often rise into the 90s (Fahrenheit), and the heat index can make it feel even hotter.
This might be uncomfortable for people who are not accustomed to such high levels of heat and humidity. However, it’s an excellent opportunity to explore the numerous water-related activities nearby, such as swimming, boating, or fishing.
Winters in Baton Rouge are mild and short, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Snowfall is extremely rare, so you don’t have to worry about shoveling snow or dealing with icy roads.
However, the city does receive a fair amount of rain throughout the year, which can sometimes lead to flooding, especially during hurricane season.
Speaking of hurricanes, Baton Rouge’s location does make it susceptible to these storms, particularly from June to November.
While the city is slightly inland and doesn’t often bear the brunt of hurricanes as coastal cities do, it can still be affected by strong winds and heavy rains.
High Insurance Rates
Louisiana, as a whole, has some of the highest insurance rates in the United States, and Baton Rouge is no exception.
Car insurance is notably high due to a combination of factors such as the high accident rate, a high rate of uninsured drivers, and the state’s litigation laws.
Unfortunately, these high insurance rates can significantly increase the cost of owning a car in Baton Rouge.
Home insurance rates are also high, primarily due to the risk of natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. As a homeowner in Baton Rouge, you may have to pay extra for flood insurance, especially if your home is located in a flood zone.
This can significantly add to the cost of homeownership in the city.
Final Words
Baton Rouge is certainly a great place to live. Its robust economy, low cost of living, a sense of deep-rooted culture, and a variety of recreational activities make it a lively place to live.
But, if you’re coming from an area with a milder climate, the hot, humid summers in Baton Rouge might be a bit too much for you. The high insurance rates could also be a financial burden to consider.
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