Baton Rouge LA vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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 Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 183,032 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 42.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 36.2% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 51.0% | 28.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $510,297 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 53.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Baton Rouge +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 66.5 in | Baton Rouge + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.5 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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