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Baton Rouge, LA housing market
Housing market indicators
| Indicator | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025* | Change | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Listing Price per Square Feet | $161 | $160 | $162 | $163 | 5.2% | -0.6% | 1.3% | 0.6% | |
| Active Listing Count | 2,053 | 2,532 | 2,943 | 3,179 | 68.3% | 23.3% | 16.2% | 8% | |
| Median Days on Market | 80 | 79 | 86 | 79 | 21.2% | -1.3% | 8.9% | -8.1% | |
| Share of listings with price increase | 1.5% | 1% | 0.9% | 1% | |||||
| Share of listings with price decrease | 12.4% | 16.3% | 16.2% | 17.7% | |||||
* last available value
Home prices
Short term housing supply drivers
Long term housing demand drivers
Long term housing supply drivers
Note: 12M MA - 12 months moving average, Permits - New Private Housing Structures Authorized by Building Permits. Source: FRED
Housing market overview
Cities/Towns in Baton Rouge, LA MSA
| Area | City/Town | Population | Density | Income (high/low/...) | Quality of Schools (GreatSchools rating range) | Crime Level | Property Tax (%) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Baton Rouge Parish | Baton Rouge | 227,470 (2020); 220,907 (2024 est.) | 2,982.5/sq mi (2019) | Medium | 3-8 | High | 0.5-1.0% | Principal city; urban core; tech growth since 1990s |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | Baker | 12,000+ | Medium | Low | 4-7 | High | 0.5-1.0% | Suburban; smaller community |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | Central | 28,000+ | High | High | 7-9 | Low | 0.5-1.0% | Fast-growing suburb; family-oriented |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | Gardere (CDP) | 10,000+ | High | Low | 3-6 | Very High | 0.5-1.0% | Census-designated; urban fringe |
| Ascension Parish | Gonzales | 12,000+ | Medium | High | 8-10 | Low | 0.4-0.8% | Industrial growth; suburban expansion |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | Shenandoah (CDP) | 20,000+ | High | High | 7-9 | Low | 0.5-1.0% | Affluent suburb; residential focus |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | Zachary | 19,000+ | Medium | Medium-High | 8-10 | Low | 0.5-1.0% | Top schools; northern suburb |
| Ascension Parish | Prairieville (CDP) | 33,000+ | Medium | High | 8-9 | Low | 0.4-0.8% | Rapid growth; family-friendly |
To view all table columns, please open this table on a laptop or desktop screen.
- MSA includes East Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, West Baton Rouge parishes; total pop 882,652 (2024 est.)
- Key regions: Urban core (Baton Rouge city); North suburbs (Zachary, Central); South suburbs (Prairieville, Gonzales); West (Port Allen area)
- Area: 11,320 km²; density 199.9/sq mi overall (2023)
- No local personal income tax beyond state 4.25-6%; property taxes vary by parish, avg 0.5-1%
Citizens: Income and Education
- Median household income: $55,000-$60,000 metro-wide (2023 est.); higher in suburbs ($70,000+ in Ascension Parish)
- Per capita income: Around $30,000; varies - low in urban core ($25,000), high in suburbs ($40,000+)
- Poverty rate: 18-20% metro; higher in Baton Rouge city (25%+)
- Education: 30% bachelor's degree or higher (metro); 25% in city proper, 40%+ in suburbs like Zachary
- 56% White, 36% Black, 4% Hispanic, 2% Asian (2019); suburbanization drives White flight to higher-income areas
- Age: 23% under 18, 61% 18-64, 16% 65+ (2024 est.)
Key Economic Sectors
- Petrochemicals and manufacturing: Dominant; refineries along Mississippi River
- Health care: Added 2,400 jobs past year; expansions at Our Lady of the Lake (Ascension), Baton Rouge General (Livingston)
- Technology: Building boom since 1990s; one of fastest-growing tech cities in South
- Education: Louisiana State University (LSU) anchors research and workforce
- Government: State capital drives admin jobs
- Ports and logistics: Mississippi River trade hub
- Metro pop growth supports workforce for these sectors; reached record 880,000 (2025 Q1)
Housing Buying Market: Supply Drivers
- Zoning: Moderately open in suburbs (Ascension, Livingston); stricter in urban Baton Rouge for historic preservation
- Regulatory strictness: Average; parish-level approvals slow large projects; flood zoning tightens due to Mississippi River risks
- Construction workforce: Available but labor costs rising 5-7%/year with pop growth; skilled trades shortage
- New permits: Up 10-15% in suburbs; Ascension Parish leads multifamily builds
- Land availability: Ample in rural Livingston/West Baton Rouge; urban infill limited
- Supply lags demand; inventory 2-3 months in hot suburbs
Housing Buying Market: Demand Drivers
- Migration: Net in-migration +5,000/year; from New Orleans, Houston; suburban pull strong
- Growing industries: Health care expansions add 2,000+ jobs; tech sector draws young professionals
- Pop growth: Metro +1% annually (2020-2024); 870,569 (2020) to 882,652 (2024)
- Declining: Oil volatility slows some petro jobs; urban core sees out-migration to suburbs
- Remote work boosts demand in low-cost, high-quality suburbs like Zachary, Prairieville
- Median home price: $250,000 metro; $300,000+ suburbs, $180,000 urban
Key Challenges on the Housing Market
- Affordability: Prices up 20% since 2020; wages lag at $25/hr median
- Flood risk: 30% properties in flood zones; insurance costs doubled post-Ida
- Inventory shortage: Seller's market; days on market 20-30 in suburbs
- Urban decay: High crime in core deters buyers; blight in North Baton Rouge
- Labor shortages: Construction delays projects 3-6 months
- Infrastructure: Aging sewers, roads strain growth in outer parishes
- School overcrowding: Fast-growth areas like Central face capacity issues
Investment Potential Differences Between Geographic Areas/Regions
| Area | Appreciation Potential | Risk | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Core (Baton Rouge city) | Low | High | High crime; pop decline -2.9% (2020-2024); limited new builds |
| North Suburbs (Zachary, Central) | High | Low | Top schools (8-10); low crime; family migration; 10%+ price growth |
| South Suburbs (Prairieville, Gonzales) | High | Medium | Industrial/health jobs; Ascension growth; flood risk moderates |
| West (West Baton Rouge) | Medium | Medium | Port access; affordable land; slower pop growth |
| East Outer (Livingston Parish) | Medium-High | High | New hospital; rural appeal; flood/insurance risks |
- Overall MSA appreciation: 5-8%/year; suburbs outperform core by 3x
- High potential tied to job growth, schools; risks from hurricanes, oil prices
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