Baton Rouge LA vs Beaumont TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
Beaumont, TX
Texas · Population: 113,710
- Median HH Income$57,530
- Median Home Price$170,393
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+25.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
113,710
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Beaumont
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
35.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Beaumont
10.8%
Beaumont +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
33.9%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
44.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
3.5%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Beaumont
20.8%
Beaumont +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Beaumont
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Beaumont, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 113,710 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.8% | Beaumont + |
| White | 36.2% | 33.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 44.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 20.8% | Beaumont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Beaumont
$57,530
Beaumont +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
$32,993
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Beaumont
$63,758
Beaumont +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Beaumont
5.3%
Beaumont +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Beaumont
19.8%
Beaumont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
25.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Beaumont, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $57,530 | Beaumont + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $32,993 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Beaumont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.3% | Beaumont + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.8% | Beaumont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 25.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Beaumont
$170,393
Beaumont +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Beaumont
54.2%
Beaumont +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Beaumont, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $170,393 | Beaumont + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 54.2% | Beaumont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Beaumont
442
Beaumont +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Beaumont
2339
Beaumont +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Beaumont, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Beaumont + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Beaumont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
16.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Beaumont
18.9%
Beaumont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
17.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Beaumont
14.4%
Beaumont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Beaumont
16.0%
Beaumont +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Beaumont, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.9% | Beaumont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | Beaumont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | Beaumont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Beaumont
68.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Beaumont
60.4 in
Beaumont +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Beaumont, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 60.4 in | Beaumont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Beaumont
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Beaumont, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Beaumont
22.3 min
Beaumont +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Beaumont, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.3 min | Beaumont + |
Which City is Right for You?
Beaumont leads in median household income at $57,530, while beaumont offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $170,393. On public safety, Beaumont is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Beaumont has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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