Baton Rouge LA vs Gainesville 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
21.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 143,611 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 36.2% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 51.0% | 21.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $45,611 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $30,282 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 28.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
$299,633
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $299,633 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 38.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 21.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 47.3 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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