Español

Este sitio también está en español. Leer en español

Parish in Louisiana

West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

West Baton Rouge Parish, in Louisiana, has 27,974 residents: No. 35 of 64 by population. West Baton Rouge Parish has an FHA limit of $541,287 for one-unit homes. The typical home value here is $229,900. HUD's Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,149 a month; to pay it without spending more than 30% of your income, you need to earn about $22.10 an hour.

WhatsApp

  • Typical home price

    $229,900

    +6% vs. Louisiana −31% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • West Baton Rouge
    • Louisiana
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $1,149 a month

    −1% vs. Louisiana −34% vs. U.S.

    HUD's reference rent for a two-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities.

    • West Baton Rouge
    • Louisiana
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $541,287

    FHA national floor limit

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • West Baton Rouge
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    0.54% of value per year

    −2% vs. Louisiana −43% vs. U.S.

    $1,251 a year for the typical owner

    • West Baton Rouge
    • Louisiana
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$250,605
2% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,396 a month
2.3% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in West Baton Rouge Parish today?

The monthly payment on a typical home with FHA would be about $1,830, that is, 25% of the typical household income in West Baton Rouge Parish. Here 77% of households live in a home they own; across Louisiana it is 67%.

Renting is less of a stretch than in Louisiana: 39% of renters put 30% or more of their income toward housing, against 55% statewide. There are 1 agency with HUD-approved housing counselors who speak Spanish near here.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); HUD (Retrieved November 6, 2026).

Only here

What sets West Baton Rouge Parish apart

  1. At $87,299, West Baton Rouge Parish ranks 2nd among the 64 parishes in Louisiana for the highest typical household income.

  2. Among the neighboring parishes, St. Martin Parish has the lowest typical home value ($164,200), 29% below the $229,900 in West Baton Rouge Parish.

  3. West Baton Rouge Parish has the 4th smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 61 parishes in Louisiana with this figure (39%).

  4. Nearby, in Pointe Coupee Parish, the typical rent is $817: 16% less than in West Baton Rouge Parish ($973).

  5. From 2020 to 2025, home prices in West Baton Rouge Parish rose 25% on FHFA's index, faster than in Louisiana (22%).

  6. 6% of homes in West Baton Rouge Parish (597) are in FEMA's high-risk flood zone, and only 43% of those carry NFIP flood insurance.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); FHFA (2025 data); FEMA (As of August 3, 2026).

The homes here

Housing in West Baton Rouge Parish

What homes there are in West Baton Rouge Parish, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house rules in West Baton Rouge Parish: 71% of homes, more than in Louisiana (65%).

In West Baton Rouge Parish there are many mobile homes: 20% of homes; in Louisiana, 13%.

Year built

Here half of the homes date from 1993 or later; in Louisiana, from 1983 or later.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

The FHA limit for this parish is high ($541,287): at least 97% of owner-occupied homes in West Baton Rouge Parish are worth less than $500,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,476 a month

Louisiana: $1,604 a month

Without a mortgage

$406 a month

Louisiana: $442 a month

Owners with a mortgage

60%

Louisiana: 52%

In West Baton Rouge Parish, 60% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,476 a month, against $1,604 in Louisiana. Without one it drops to $406.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Homes in West Baton Rouge Parish gained value more slowly than in Louisiana: 15% since 2015–2019, against 33%.

Rent in West Baton Rouge Parish moved so little since 2015–2019 that the Census cannot say whether it rose or fell.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureWest Baton Rouge ParishLouisianaUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate7.8%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.3%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.3%3.4%
People per household 2.482.492.53
Drive alone 83%79%69%
Carpool 11%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%3%
Work from home 4%8%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

By size, households in West Baton Rouge Parish look like those in Louisiana: 2.48 people on average.

The car rules in West Baton Rouge Parish: 83% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 20 to 29 minutes.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month in West Baton Rouge Parish?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home of $229,900, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 25% of the typical household income here, which is $87,299 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in West Baton Rouge Parish. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $8,047 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,830

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$225,735
Total interest
$324,780
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $3,882 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,037 a month

    Your payment · 25%

  • Tight

    $2,037 to $2,619 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,619 a month

Compared with the typical household income in West Baton Rouge Parish ($87,299 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,830
Principal & interest$1,529
Property tax$103
Home insurance$96
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$102

You need at least $8,047 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

Buying a home

Buying a home in West Baton Rouge Parish

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how West Baton Rouge Parish compares with Louisiana and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in West Baton Rouge Parish rose 39% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here Louisiana United States
In 2025 +2.3% +1.8% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +25% +22% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +39% +38% +85%
See each year's change

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

West Baton Rouge Parish compared with Louisiana and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • West Baton Rouge $229,900
  • Louisiana $216,500
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • West Baton Rouge $973
  • Louisiana $1,064
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • West Baton Rouge $87,299
  • Louisiana $60,756
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
West Baton Rouge compared with Louisiana and the United States
MeasureHereLouisianaU.S.
Residents27,9744,611,961334,922,499
Typical home value$229,900$216,500$332,700
Typical household income$87,299$60,756$80,734
Typical rent$973$1,064$1,413
Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms)$1,149$1,161$1,750
Hourly wage to rent a 2-bedroom$22.10$22.33$33.65
Typical property tax$1,251$1,180$3,119
Effective tax rate0.54%0.55%0.94%
Households that own their home77%67%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent39%55%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$541,287$541,287$541,287

FHA limit: Louisiana shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in West Baton Rouge Parish

For a typical $229,900 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $1,830 $8,047 $225,736 7.18% FHA MIP · $102 $14,944 580
Conventional, 5% down $1,788 $11,495 $218,405 7.18% PMI · $109 $18,392 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,445 $45,980 $183,920 7.18% None $52,877 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,658 $34,485 $195,415 8.18% None $41,382 Set by the lender
  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

FHA loans in West Baton Rouge Parish use the national floor limit: it isn't a high-cost area. If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($832,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $541,287 $832,750
2 units $693,050 $1,066,250
3 units $837,700 $1,288,800
4 units $1,041,125 $1,601,750

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in West Baton Rouge Parish

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In West Baton Rouge Parish, the typical owner pays $1,251 a year: about 0.54% of the home's value. That is close to the rest of Louisiana and less than the national average.

  • West Baton Rouge 0.54%
  • Louisiana 0.55%
  • United States 0.94%

What Louisiana publishes Homestead exemption: $7,500 of assessed value (Louisiana State Legislature (Louisiana Constitution))

Exemptions and deadlines in Louisiana

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in West Baton Rouge Parish 5.9% of homes (597) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 43% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in West Baton Rouge Parish

The natural hazards FEMA measures in West Baton Rouge Parish, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

According to FEMA, the natural hazard risk in West Baton Rouge Parish is very low.

That rating combines the loss FEMA expects with social vulnerability and community resilience.

In West Baton Rouge Parish, FEMA expects natural hazards to cause $13.4 million in losses a year, counting buildings, people and crops.

Of all the hazards, FEMA expects hurricane to do the most damage to buildings: about $2.9 million a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. HurricaneRelatively moderate $2.9 million a year
  2. Inland floodingVery low $2.1 million a year
  3. TornadoRelatively moderate $599,557 a year
  4. EarthquakeVery low $84,800 a year
  5. Winter weatherVery low $3,274 a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

The home energy code (IECC) puts West Baton Rouge Parish in zone 2A: hot and humid.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Summer

    • Keep indoor humidity below 60 % (ideally between 30 % and 50 %). A humidity meter is inexpensive and sold at hardware stores. EPA
    • Keep the air conditioner's drip pan clean and its drain line flowing: a plugged drain can cause water damage in the house. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Check that the ground slopes away from the house, so water does not collect around the foundation. EPA

  • Winter

    • Look for drafts at windows and doors: close the window on a piece of paper; if it moves back and forth easily, it needs thicker weather stripping. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$31.41$23.44 and $39.33
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$35.69$24.00 and $38.97
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$30.26$18.50 and $38.50
Roofers$23.70$17.44 and $40.02
Carpenters$26.75$18.34 and $34.44
Painters, construction and maintenance$23.62$17.14 and $28.52
Maintenance and repair workers, general$22.19$13.92 and $37.22

In the Baton Rouge, LA area, half of electricians earn more than $31.41 an hour and half earn less; for a plumber, the typical figure is $35.69.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in West Baton Rouge Parish

The typical rent in West Baton Rouge Parish is $973 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

39% of renter households in West Baton Rouge Parish spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 26% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $992 $19.08 $39,680
1 bedroom $1,014 $19.50 $40,560
2 bedrooms $1,149 $22.10 $45,960
3 bedrooms $1,456 $28.00 $58,240
4 bedrooms $1,842 $35.42 $73,680

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Free help in West Baton Rouge Parish

Programs and counseling in West Baton Rouge Parish

We didn't find HUD-approved agencies with an office in this parish. These are the 6 nearest; many serve by phone or online.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

Three generations of a family gather on the porch of their home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Louisiana down payment programs

  1. HomeStart Assist

    Louisiana state corporation 30-year mortgage for first-time buyers with 4% of the loan in assistance, as a 0% second mortgage forgiven after 60 months

    First-time buyers only. Run by Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC).

    Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

  2. HomeStart Advantage

    Louisiana state corporation 30-year mortgage with 4% of the loan in assistance, as a 0% second mortgage forgiven after 60 months; you do not need to be a first-time buyer, but you cannot own another home at closing

    No first-time requirement. Run by Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC).

    Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all Louisiana programs

Help in Spanish in West Baton Rouge Parish

1 of the 6 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Public housing agencies

They run public housing and Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) in this parish.

Free legal help

If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

These are the nearest agencies, with the distance in miles. Many help by phone or online. Official HUD list. Confirm hours and fees with the agency before you go.

  • Mid City Redevelopment Alliance

    419 N 19th St, Baton Rouge · 8 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (225) 346-1000

  • Louisiana Housing Corporation

    2415 Quail Dr, Baton Rouge · 12 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 3 more
    (225) 763-8654

  • Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation

    7732 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge · 12 miles away

    • Budget and credit workshops
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 1 more
    225-356-8871-210
See every agency in Louisiana

Places

Cities in West Baton Rouge Parish

This site has no city pages of West Baton Rouge Parish. The neighboring counties are below.

See all 1 cities of West Baton Rouge Parish

Nearby parishes

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with West Baton Rouge Parish.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in West Baton Rouge Parish in 2026?

West Baton Rouge Parish has an FHA limit of $541,287 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $693,050, for 3 it's $837,700 and for 4 it's $1,041,125. It's the national floor limit.

What is the conforming loan limit in West Baton Rouge Parish?

West Baton Rouge Parish has a conforming limit of $832,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in West Baton Rouge Parish?

The typical home value in West Baton Rouge Parish is $229,900 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across Louisiana it's $216,500.

How much does it cost to rent in West Baton Rouge Parish?

West Baton Rouge Parish has a typical rent of $973 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,149 (Fiscal year 2027).

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in West Baton Rouge Parish?

About $22.10 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $45,960 a year, so the fair market rent of $1,149 stays under 30% of income.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).