Baton Rouge LA vs Cleveland 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%
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
36.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
6.1%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Cleveland
36.7%
Cleveland +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
46.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
2.3%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cleveland
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 367,523 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 36.7% | Cleveland + |
| Black | 51.0% | 46.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.8% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
$39,187
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
$27,078
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
11.5%
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
30.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
21.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $39,187 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $27,078 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,300 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 11.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 30.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 21.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
41.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $117,703 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 41.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1866 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
17.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Cleveland
19.6%
Cleveland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
13.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
21.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.6% | Cleveland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 21.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cleveland
52.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 36.4 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cleveland
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cleveland, 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 +
Cleveland
24.3 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cleveland, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.3 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has a lower unemployment rate at 9.0%, 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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