Baton Rouge LA vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
35.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 135,887 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 36.2% | 24.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 17.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Elizabeth
6.9%
Elizabeth +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $28,490 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 14.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $531,592 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 25.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 28.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 29.3 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Elizabeth has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Baton Rouge, LA vs New York, NYBaton Rouge, LA vs Los Angeles, CABaton Rouge, LA vs Chicago, ILBaton Rouge, LA vs Houston, TXBaton Rouge, LA vs Phoenix, AZBaton Rouge, LA vs Philadelphia, PA