Baton Rouge LA vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Colorado Springs
35.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Colorado Springs
7.4%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 51.0% | 5.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 41.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $451,202 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Colorado Springs
512
Colorado Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 512 | Colorado Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3234 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Colorado Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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