Baton Rouge LA vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Boise
7.2%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Boise
$57,074
Boise +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $81,308 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $48,274 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,074 | Boise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 10.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $504,894 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Boise
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 18.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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