Baton Rouge LA vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Buffalo
32.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 36.2% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 51.0% | 32.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $48,050 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $30,995 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.2% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 27.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 30.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Buffalo
$241,380
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $241,380 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 42.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Buffalo
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 38.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.1% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.5% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Buffalo
48.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 40.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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