Baton Rouge vs New Orleans: Mortgage Cost Comparison
Thinking about buying in Baton Rouge or New Orleans? Here's a side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs in both cities.
$1,546
Baton Rouge PITI
$1,817
New Orleans PITI
$271/mo
Difference
-
? Monthly payment PITI with taxes & insurance included
-
? Bi-weekly payment PITI if paid every other week
-
-
-
-
-
-
Baton Rouge vs New Orleans: Full Mortgage Comparison
Buying a home in Baton Rouge is $271/month cheaper based on average home prices and local costs.
| Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Home Price | $230,000 | $270,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $46,000 | $54,000 |
| Loan Amount | $184,000 | $216,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.52% | 0.6% |
| Annual Property Tax | $1,196 | $1,620 |
| Annual Insurance | $3,400 | $3,800 |
| Monthly P&I | $1,163 | $1,365 |
| Monthly PITI | $1,546 | $1,817 |
| Total Interest (30yr) | $234,682 | $275,496 |
What Drives the Difference?
Home prices are the biggest factor — New Orleans’s average home costs $40,000 more than Baton Rouge’s.
Property taxes also favor Baton Rouge — New Orleans’s 0.6% rate is higher than Baton Rouge’s 0.52%.
Insurance is $400/year more in New Orleans.
Income Needed to Buy
Using the 28% rule (PITI under 28% of gross income):
| Baton Rouge | New Orleans | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly PITI | $1,546 | $1,817 |
| Income needed | $66,257 | $77,869 |
Try Your Own Numbers
The calculator above is pre-filled with Baton Rouge’s averages. Adjust the values to match your situation, or try the New Orleans calculator for New Orleans-specific numbers.