Asheville NC vs Baton Rouge LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
223,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
31.8
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
7.4%
White
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 223,699 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 31.8 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 51.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 6.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
35.8%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $49,944 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,415 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $55,297 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 25.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 35.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
46.9%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $231,011 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 46.9% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
2824
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
21.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
16.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 37.9% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.3% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 21.0% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.6% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.7% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Baton Rouge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 64.8 in | Asheville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Asheville +
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Asheville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Asheville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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