Baton Rouge LA vs Brockton MA — 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%
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
105,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Brockton
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
36.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
29.2%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
38.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
2.2%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Brockton
12.9%
Brockton +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Brockton
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 105,080 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 32.9% | Brockton + |
| White | 36.2% | 29.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 38.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.9% | Brockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Brockton
$77,089
Brockton +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Brockton
$35,524
Brockton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Brockton
8.3%
Brockton +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Brockton
13.9%
Brockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
21.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $77,089 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $35,524 | Brockton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,405 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 8.3% | Brockton + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 13.9% | Brockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 21.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
$506,468
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Brockton
57.0%
Brockton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $506,468 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 57.0% | Brockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 326 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1086 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
21.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Brockton
15.3%
Brockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
17.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.9% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.4% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 21.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.4% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Brockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Brockton
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Brockton
49.9 in
Brockton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 49.9 in | Brockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Brockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Brockton
34.1 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Brockton, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 34.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Brockton leads in median household income at $77,089, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Brockton has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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