Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Baton Rouge to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has a higher median household income ($81,332 vs $49,994) and higher median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,067) than Baton Rouge. Phoenix also has a longer commute (28 vs 23 minutes) and applies a simplified state income tax reference of 2.50%, while Baton Rouge’s state tax is excluded per source constraints. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is a model assumption applied equally to both cities.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → Baton RougeMoving from Baton Rouge to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$515/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$6,180 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+5 min / day
Difference of ~42 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTBAT → PHX
53/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$3,404after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Baton Rouge is about $6,180 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Baton Rouge household income$49,994
Phoenix household income$81,332
Baton Rouge gross rent$1,067
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Baton Rouge | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 222,771 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $49,994 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,067 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $234,700 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in Baton Rouge and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- One-way commute time
- State income tax treatment
What each city wins
Baton Rouge
Median rent consumes ~26% of median income.. Watch lower housing costs may reflect tradeoffs in job access or services..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare relative to income in each city?
In Baton Rouge, median gross rent is about 25.6% of median household income, while in Phoenix it is approximately 23.3%, indicating rent consumes a slightly smaller share of income in Phoenix despite higher absolute costs.
What role does the uniform non-housing baseline play in the comparison?
The $1,250 monthly non-housing baseline is a standardized model assumption used equally for both cities, ensuring that differences in housing, income, commute, and tax are the primary varying factors in the analysis.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.