Baton Rouge LA vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 106,274 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.2% | Boulder + |
| White | 36.2% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $85,364 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $59,450 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.1% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 21.8% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $970,905 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Boulder
512
Boulder +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 512 | Boulder + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3234 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.9% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.6% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 20.7 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Boulder is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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