Baton Rouge, the capital city of Louisiana, is an active community with all the daily amenities retirees need. Warm weather all year round, a vibrant arts district, and plentiful water recreation makes this city popular for active adults. Retirees seeking affordable housing on the Gulf Coast can find it in Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge, the capital city of Louisiana, is an active community with all the daily amenities retirees need. Warm weather all year round, a vibrant arts district, and plentiful water recreation makes this city popular for active adults. Retirees seeking affordable housing on the Gulf Coast can find it in Baton Rouge.
Climate & Geography
Baton Rouge is located in the boot of Southeast Louisiana and has a humid subtropical climate. Winters are mild and summers are long, hot, and humid. There is moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the year, and residents can expect 214 days of sun.
Recreation, Culture & Entertainment
With year-round warmth, residents enjoy the outdoors in Baton Rouge. Wampold Memorial Park has what is colloquially known as “Baton Rouge Beach,” where families gather to swim. Residents can also kayak on the lakes, fish on the Mississippi riverfront, and golf on several courses throughout the year.
Downtown Baton Rouge houses the Arts and Entertainment District, featuring Historic Third Street. This area has many of the local restaurants, shops, greenspaces, and concert venues that residents frequent. It also hosts free concert series, art exhibits, and holiday events.
Louisiana State University also adds plenty of entertainment options ranging from sporting events to a world-class art museum.
Cost of Living & Taxes
Baton Rouge’s cost of living matches the national average. Housing and utilities are far below average, and transportation is above average. Other indexes like health care and groceries are similar to the rest of the U.S.
Louisiana does not tax Social Security or public pensions. It does tax all other forms of retirement income, and retirees can claim an exemption of $6,000. The state has very low property taxes, and retirees can claim an assessment freeze and a homestead exemption. Sales taxes, on the other hand, are some of the highest in the country.
Health Care
According to Gallup’s Well-Being Index, Louisiana scores highest in the survey’s social index.
Baton Rouge has several hospitals, including two that are rated by U.S. News as high performing: Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (No. 3 in the state) and Baton Rouge General Medical Center.