Baton Rouge LA vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
2.9%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 80,835 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 2.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 34.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 0.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 4.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $36,194 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $20,799 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 17.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 34.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 13.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Flint
471
Flint +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 50.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 23.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 25.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Flint
47.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Baton Rouge +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 25.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has a lower unemployment rate at 9.0%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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