Baton Rouge LA vs Detroit 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 11.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 8.0% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $39,575 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $24,029 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 14.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 31.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 17.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 49.7% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 45.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 22.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 21.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Detroit, 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
Baton Rouge +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 27.3 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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