Baton Rouge LA vs Columbia 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Columbia
39.5%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 138,019 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 51.0% | 39.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $55,653 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $54,550 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Columbia
19.2%
Columbia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.2% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 46.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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