Baton Rouge LA vs Cape Coral FL — 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%
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Cape Coral
206,387
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Cape Coral
48.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cape Coral
4.5%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Cape Coral
1.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 206,387 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 48.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 17.9% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 36.2% | 72.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 51.0% | 4.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 25.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Cape Coral
25.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $76,062 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $39,603 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 9.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 25.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Cape Coral
$339,638
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $339,638 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 77.7% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Cape Coral
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 30.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.5% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.6% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Cape Coral
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Cape Coral
31.1 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 31.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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