Baton Rouge LA vs Cary NC — 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%
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Cary
176,686
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cary
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Cary
39.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Cary
23.7%
Cary +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Cary
60.1%
Cary +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cary
7.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Cary
20.4%
Cary +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Cary
9.3%
Cary +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cary
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 176,686 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 23.7% | Cary + |
| White | 36.2% | 60.1% | Cary + |
| Black | 51.0% | 7.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 20.4% | Cary + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.3% | Cary + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Cary
$129,399
Cary +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Cary
$64,590
Cary +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Cary
$59,120
Cary +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Cary
3.4%
Cary +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Cary
5.3%
Cary +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Cary
70.2%
Cary +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $129,399 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $64,590 | Cary + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Cary + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.4% | Cary + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 5.3% | Cary + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 70.2% | Cary + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Cary
$629,864
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Cary
66.3%
Cary +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $629,864 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 66.3% | Cary + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Cary
398
Cary +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Cary
1999
Cary +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Cary + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Cary + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Cary
14.3%
Cary +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 25.3% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.6% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 12.8% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.2% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Cary + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.7% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cary
59.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Cary
46.3 in
Cary +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 46.3 in | Cary + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Cary +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Cary
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cary + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Cary
24.3 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cary, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.3 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cary leads in median household income at $129,399, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Cary is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Cary has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cary has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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