Mortgage Calculator & Closing Costs: Baton Rouge, LA
Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Median Home Price
$235K
Population
227K
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,150
Property Tax Rate
0.55% *
* Property tax shown is the Louisiana state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge vs Louisiana Median
The median home price in Baton Rouge is $235,000, which is 21% above the Louisiana state median of $195,000.
Mortgage Calculator — Baton Rouge, LA
Pre-filled with Baton Rouge median home price and Louisiana tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $235K home using Louisiana's 0.55% tax rate and $3,500/yr insurance.
5% Down
$1,941/mo
Down: $11,750
Loan: $223K
P&I: $1,411
Tax: $108
Insurance: $292
PMI: $130
10% Down
$1,860/mo
Down: $23,500
Loan: $212K
P&I: $1,337
Tax: $108
Insurance: $292
PMI: $123
20% Down (No PMI)
$1,588/mo
Down: $47,000
Loan: $188K
P&I: $1,188
Tax: $108
Insurance: $292
Income needed (28% rule): $68K/year with 20% down, $80K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in Baton Rouge
Rent
$1,150/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$1,860/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 17.0 — A ratio between 15-20 means the rent vs buy decision in Baton Rouge depends heavily on your timeline. If you plan to stay 5+ years, buying likely wins. For shorter stays, renting preserves flexibility.
The median home price in Baton Rouge is $235,000, 21% above the Louisiana state median of $195,000. With a population of 227,470, Baton Rouge is a mid-size city where home prices reflect strong demand and local economic factors.
Property taxes in Louisiana average 0.55% annually. This low property tax rate is a significant advantage for Baton Rouge buyers, keeping your monthly costs well below what you'd pay in higher-tax states. Homeowners insurance in Louisiana runs approximately $3,500 per year. Insurance costs are notably high — factor this into your monthly budget.
Average rent in Baton Rouge is $1,150/month. The price-to-rent ratio in Baton Rouge is moderate, meaning the buy-vs-rent decision depends heavily on how long you plan to stay.
Baton Rouge offers strong affordability. With median prices under $250K, first-time buyers have realistic paths to homeownership, especially combined with Louisiana's LHC Mortgage Revenue Bond program.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Baton Rouge.