Baton Rouge LA vs Boca Raton FL — 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%
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Boca Raton
98,833
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Boca Raton
45.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Boca Raton
5.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Boca Raton
3.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 98,833 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 45.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 20.0% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 36.2% | 77.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 51.0% | 5.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 15.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Boca Raton
5.9%
Boca Raton +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $102,722 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $72,542 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 9.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 60.4% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Boca Raton
$562,670
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $562,670 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 65.8% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Boca Raton
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 23.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.3% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.8% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Boca Raton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Boca Raton
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Boca Raton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Boca Raton
23.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boca Raton, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 23.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Boca Raton has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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