Baton Rouge LA vs Billings MT — 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%
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Billings
118,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Billings
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Billings
38.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Billings
2.0%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Billings
1.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Billings
0.9%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Billings
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 118,321 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 2.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 86.3% | Billings + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 0.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.2% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Billings
$71,855
Billings +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Billings
$42,639
Billings +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Billings
3.5%
Billings +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Billings
37.0%
Billings +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $71,855 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $42,639 | Billings + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $62,117 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.5% | Billings + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 10.6% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 37.0% | Billings + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Billings
$398,212
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $398,212 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 64.8% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Billings
433
Billings +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Billings
1984
Billings +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 433 | Billings + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1984 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Billings
33.9%
Billings +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Billings
9.5%
Billings +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Billings
18.0%
Billings +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Billings
9.4%
Billings +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Billings
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Billings
14.1%
Billings +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 33.9% | Billings + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.5% | Billings + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.0% | Billings + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | Billings + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.1% | Billings + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Billings
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 14.8 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Billings
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Billings, MT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 18.0 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Billings leads in median household income at $71,855, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Billings is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Billings has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Billings scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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