Baton Rouge LA vs Fayetteville AR — 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%
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
97,227
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
5.7%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
5.2%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Fayetteville
7.7%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 97,227 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 28.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 75.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 51.0% | 5.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Fayetteville
$59,074
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Fayetteville
$37,885
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Fayetteville
21.4%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $59,074 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $37,885 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,714 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 21.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 49.8% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
$380,101
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
41.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $380,101 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 41.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 660 | Baton Rouge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2507 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Fayetteville
33.5%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Fayetteville
20.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 33.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.0% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 45.5 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 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
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 19.9 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $59,074, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Baton Rouge is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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