A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
28%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Baker Louisiana National
Cost of living9091100
Goods & Services10596100
Groceries9795100
Health care10099100
Housing7281100
Transportation9696100
Utilities7384100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Baker, LA

Knowing the cost of living in Baker allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Baker stands at 90, marking it 10% lower than the national average.

Is Baker Affordable?

Wondering if Baker is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Baker, for example, the median home price is 38% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 3.9% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Baker boasting a median household income of $64,455, which is 16.5% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Baker?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Baker, the groceries index is 3.1% lower than the national average.

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Baker, the transportation index is 4.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Baker cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Baker is 1% lower than the Louisiana average
  • The cost of living in Baker is 10% lower than the national average
  • Baker housing is 28% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana general sales tax is 13% lower than the national average
  • Louisiana state income tax is 18% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Baker

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Compare Baker, LA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$66,844$5,570$1,560$2,006
      Renters$43,196$3,600$1,008$1,296
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Baker, LA, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Baker homeowners, is $66,844. This would allow for a maximum of $1,560 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $43,196 which would result in a maximum of $1,008 to be spent on rental costs.

      Louisiana Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Louisiana 4.45% 11.45%

      Louisiana Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Louisiana 1.85% 4.25%

      Goods & Services

      Item Baker National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.61$24.265.6%
      Beauty Salon $43.33$45.564.9%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.702.0%
      Shampoo $1.17$1.288.9%
      Movie $11.59$12.134.5%
      Bowling $20.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Baker National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.45$5.846.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.56$4.672.4%
      Potatoes $5.20$4.935.4%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.03$10.413.7%

      Health Care

      Item Baker National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $114.13$125.689.2%
      Doctor $130.33$135.784.0%
      Dentist $114.58$113.291.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.22$10.654.1%
      Lipitor $527.50$468.6012.6%

      Housing

      Item Baker National avg. Difference
      Home Price $114,500.00$184,700.0038.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,958.49$2,346.6916.5%
      Apartment Rent $912.00$949.003.9%

      Transportation

      Item Baker National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.5%
      Tire Balancing $61.61$59.922.8%

      Utilities

      Item Baker National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $111.88$193.9942.3%
      Phone $185.70$192.253.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Merrydale, LA9,5239010.1%
      Erwinville, LA2,815937.5%
      Port Allen, LA4,883937.4%
      Denham Springs, LA9,908955.4%
      Monticello, LA4,926954.9%
      Baker, LA13,2339010.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Chatham, IL13,231982.2%
      Glenn Heights, TX13,2281043.5%
      McFarland, CA13,2441109.6%
      Bedford, IN13,2468811.6%
      Western Springs, IL13,24716161.3%
      Baker, LA13,2339010.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.