Baton Rouge, LA Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Baton Rouge, LA: What You Need to Know

No one will mistake Baton Rouge for the sticks, but locals affectionately call their hometown the Red Stick.

A Rich Local History

In French, Baton Rouge means “red stick.” The name stemmed from the marker that set the boundary between the hunting grounds of the Houma tribe and the Bayougoula tribe. The marker was a cypress pole stained red and adorned with animal parts. It was positioned on the east bank of the Mississippi River. In 1699, French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville saw the pole while making his way upriver. He called the area le bâton rouge. The area became part of the colonies in 1810. Baton Rouge was incorporated in 1817.

The Cost of Living in Baton Rouge

Your personal budget will go further in a medium-size city like Baton Rouge (population: 220,236). Its cost of living rate and housing costs are 1.1% and 4.4% lower than the national average, respectively. However, food cost is 11.5% higher than the national average. The city’s median gross rent is $860 while the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,103. Louisiana levies 2% to 6% in income tax and 4.45% to 11.45% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Thinking of renting in Baton Rouge? You’ll be pleased to know that half of the city’s residents are renters. Locals love it for its “little big city” vibe. Downtown Baton Rouge’s vibrant energy is attracting young professionals who want the convenience of living close to the business district. Choose from high-rise apartments, modern studios, and luxury lofts. If you like to be in the suburbs, Highlands-Perkins is a short drive to Baton Rouge, and majority of its residents are renters. Prairieville and Baker-Zachary have great schools, and they are both within commuting distance of the city.

Things to Do in Baton Rouge

The city has world-class museums and educational centers for visitors of all ages. The River Road African American Museum highlights the history and heritage of African Americans along the Mississippi River. It owns an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits covering more than 300 years of history of the importance of African Americans to the South. The Louisiana Art and Science Museum links art and science to inspire creativity and encourage curiosity. The museum features the cutting-edge Irene W. Pennington Planetarium, a permanent art collection, and interactive children's galleries.

Schools and Education

Louisiana State University (LSU), the state’s flagship educational institution, is located in Baton Rouge. A total of 30,983 students attend the university. LSU’s nationally recognized academic programs include internal auditing, landscape architecture, and coast and environment studies. There are four universities in Baton Rouge plus six other colleges within 50 miles of the city. Baton Rouge’s public school system consists of 109 schools with an enrolment of 55,258 students. LSU Laboratory School and Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School are among the city’s top-ranked schools.