Baton Rouge LA vs Elgin IL — 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Elgin
45.4%
Elgin +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 114,106 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 36.2% | 45.4% | Elgin + |
| Black | 51.0% | 5.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Elgin
6.3%
Elgin +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $88,316 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $36,037 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.3% | Elgin + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 26.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Elgin
$333,920
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $333,920 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Elgin
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.8% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.1% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.0% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Elgin
48.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 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 +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 30.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Elgin has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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