Baton Rouge LA vs Fayetteville NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Fayetteville
38.3%
Fayetteville +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
42.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 209,692 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 36.2% | 38.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 51.0% | 42.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Fayetteville
8.2%
Fayetteville +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $31,467 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 8.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 28.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 46.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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