Flipping on houses
In EBR, buying a home is slightly cheaper
It’s now slightly cheaper to buy a home than to rent one in East Baton Rouge Parish, according to The Economist, which analyzed housing markets nationwide. The news magazine did not factor in other ownership costs, such as property insurance and HOA fees.
The details: The average monthly EBR mortgage payment in 2025 was $1,349, compared with $1,428 for rent. That’s a modest gap—about $79 a month—but it marks a shift. In 2022 and 2023, renting in the parish was cheaper than buying, when rising interest rates pushed mortgage payments higher and sidelined many would-be buyers.
What’s happening nationally: In 2023, renting was cheaper than buying for more than two-thirds of Americans. Today, it’s roughly a 50-50 split.
Worth considering: The true cost of ownership depends on expenses not included in the analysis—property insurance, HOA fees, maintenance—as well as the neighborhood and how long you plan to stay.
The bottom line: For young professionals deciding whether to renew a lease or call a lender, the margin between the two options is thin. Owning versus renting depends on individual circumstances. The old rule still applies: rent for flexibility, buy for stability.
Dig deeper: Buy or Rent (The Economist) 🔒