Baton Rouge LA vs Charlotte 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%
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Charlotte
34.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Charlotte
34.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Charlotte
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 886,283 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 18.1% | Charlotte + |
| White | 36.2% | 41.5% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 51.0% | 34.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 17.0% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $78,438 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $49,991 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.7% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 47.4% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Charlotte
$399,070
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $399,070 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 51.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Charlotte
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 30.1% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.4% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Charlotte
59.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 41.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Charlotte
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Charlotte
26.7 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Charlotte, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 26.7 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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