Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
223,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
7.4%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 223,699 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 31.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 7.4% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 36.2% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 51.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 3.6% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 6.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
35.8%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $49,944 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $33,415 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $55,297 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 9.0% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 25.0% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 35.8% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $231,011 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 46.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
2824
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 643 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2824 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
21.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
16.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 37.9% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.3% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 21.0% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.7% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 64.8 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 23.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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