Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
223,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
7.4%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 223,699 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 31.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 7.4% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 36.2% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 51.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 3.6% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 6.5% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $49,944 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $33,415 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $55,297 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 9.0% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 25.0% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 35.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
46.9%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $231,011 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 46.9% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 643 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2824 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
21.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
16.7%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 37.9% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.3% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 23.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $84,320, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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