Baton Rouge LA vs Dayton OH — 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%
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
136,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Dayton
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
34.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
5.0%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
38.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
1.2%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
5.5%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Dayton
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 136,741 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 51.3% | Dayton + |
| Black | 51.0% | 38.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
$43,454
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
$26,381
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
27.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
20.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $43,454 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $26,381 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,300 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 9.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 27.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 20.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Dayton
48.2%
Dayton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $138,867 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 48.2% | Dayton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Dayton
1866
Dayton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1866 | Dayton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
42.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
21.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
20.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 21.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.6% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Dayton
54.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 40.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dayton
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dayton, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.2 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has a lower unemployment rate at 9.0%, 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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