Baton Rouge LA vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
32.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 107,846 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 36.2% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 51.0% | 3.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 3.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Dearborn
24.3%
Dearborn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
34.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $65,192 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $29,900 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 24.3% | Dearborn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 34.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
$248,262
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $248,262 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Dearborn
471
Dearborn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Dearborn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 21.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Dearborn
50.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 33.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Dearborn
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.8 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Dearborn is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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