Baton Rouge LA vs Cincinnati OH — 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%
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
33.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
7.1%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
38.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
2.8%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
5.4%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 309,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 49.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 51.0% | 38.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $51,707 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $38,878 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,300 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 24.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 41.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
$252,784
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $252,784 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 38.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1866 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Cincinnati
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 38.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.8% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 47.7 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Cincinnati
24.8 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.8 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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