Baton Rouge LA vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Eugene
177,520
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Eugene
35.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Eugene
6.8%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Eugene
11.4%
Eugene +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 177,520 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.9% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 11.4% | Eugene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Eugene
$63,691
Eugene +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Eugene
7.6%
Eugene +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $63,836 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,691 | Eugene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.6% | Eugene + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $478,489 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 47.6% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 355 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3001 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Eugene
19.9%
Eugene +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.9% | Eugene + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Eugene
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Eugene
46.1 in
Eugene +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 46.1 in | Eugene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Eugene
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Eugene has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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