Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Baton Rouge
223,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
7.4%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Baton Rouge
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 223,699 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 31.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 7.4% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 36.2% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 51.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 6.5% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
35.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $49,944 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $33,415 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 9.0% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 25.0% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 35.8% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $231,011 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 46.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Baton Rouge
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Baton Rouge
2824
| Metric | Austin, TX | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
21.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Baton Rouge
16.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.9% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 15.3% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 21.0% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.7% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Baton Rouge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 64.8 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Baton Rouge, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 23.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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