Baton Rouge LA vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Fargo
32.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 129,064 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 36.2% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 51.0% | 8.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 3.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $318,584 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 44.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Fargo
2037
Fargo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2037 | Fargo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 21.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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