Baton Rouge LA vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 36.2% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 51.0% | 8.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $541,899 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Denver
512
Denver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 512 | Denver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3234 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 25.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 27.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Denver is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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