Baton Rouge LA vs Dallas 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%
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Dallas
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Dallas
33.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dallas
23.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Dallas
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 1,299,553 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 36.2% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Black | 51.0% | 23.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.7% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $67,760 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $44,138 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.9% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.2% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 37.4% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Dallas
$311,957
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Dallas
42.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $311,957 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 42.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Dallas
22.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Dallas
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.8% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.8% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Dallas
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 40.6 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dallas
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dallas, 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
Baton Rouge +
Dallas
28.3 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.3 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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