Baton Rouge LA vs Columbus GA — 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%
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
204,383
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
35.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
5.3%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
46.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
2.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 204,383 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 39.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 51.0% | 46.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 8.3% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
$32,811
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Columbus
$57,405
Columbus +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Columbus
6.5%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
29.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $56,622 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $32,811 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,405 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.5% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 18.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 29.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Columbus
50.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $175,194 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 50.2% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 392 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1752 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
40.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.1% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.9% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Columbus
64.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 49.6 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Columbus, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.6 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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