Baton Rouge LA vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Durham
34.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 36.2% | 44.0% | Durham + |
| Black | 51.0% | 34.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $399,509 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Durham
1999
Durham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.8% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 47.8 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.3 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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