Baton Rouge LA vs Fort Collins CO — 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%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 169,705 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Fort Collins
52.1%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $568,389 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 52.1% | Fort Collins + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Fort Collins
512
Fort Collins +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 512 | Fort Collins + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3234 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.7% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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