Baton Rouge LA vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
17.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 152,014 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 51.0% | 17.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $54,550 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $593,739 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 22.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 51.0 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 25.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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