Baton Rouge LA vs Burlington VT — 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%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 44,649 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 51.0% | 3.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.7% | Burlington + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 3.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Burlington
$63,829
Burlington +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $68,854 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $39,027 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,829 | Burlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.0% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $510,361 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 39.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Burlington
20.3%
Burlington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.3% | Burlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Burlington
46.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 36.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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