Baton Rouge LA vs Garland TX — 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Garland
37.5%
Garland +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 36.2% | 37.5% | Garland + |
| Black | 51.0% | 15.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $31,477 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 25.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Garland
$289,605
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $289,605 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Garland
442
Garland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Garland
2339
Garland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Garland
49.5 in
Garland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 49.5 in | Garland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 32.5 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Garland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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