Baton Rouge LA vs Fort Wayne IN — 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 Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 36.2% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 51.0% | 14.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $32,884 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 28.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $245,993 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 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
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.8 min | Fort Wayne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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%.
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