Baton Rouge LA vs Corpus Christi TX — 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%
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Corpus Christi
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
36.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Corpus Christi
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 317,383 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 36.2% | 54.7% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 51.0% | 4.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 61.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Corpus Christi +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
24.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $66,325 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,579 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.4% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.5% | Corpus Christi + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 24.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $226,494 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 57.9% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Corpus Christi +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 24.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.5% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 32.5 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Corpus Christi
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corpus Christi, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.0 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Corpus Christi has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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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