Baton Rouge LA vs Hampton VA — 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%
Hampton, VA
Virginia · Population: 137,334
- Median HH Income$67,758
- Median Home Price$278,048
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Hampton
137,334
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hampton
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Hampton
36.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Hampton
5.2%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Hampton
37.5%
Hampton +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Hampton
49.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Hampton
2.2%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Hampton
6.6%
Hampton +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 137,334 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 37.5% | Hampton + |
| Black | 51.0% | 49.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 6.6% | Hampton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Hampton
$67,758
Hampton +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Hampton
$36,787
Hampton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Hampton
$69,581
Hampton +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Hampton
6.3%
Hampton +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Hampton
13.0%
Hampton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Hampton
27.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $67,758 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $36,787 | Hampton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Hampton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.3% | Hampton + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 13.0% | Hampton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 27.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Hampton
$278,048
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Hampton
55.6%
Hampton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $278,048 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 55.6% | Hampton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Hampton
240
Hampton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Hampton
1726
Hampton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Hampton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Hampton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Hampton
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Hampton
15.0%
Hampton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Hampton
18.4%
Hampton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Hampton
9.5%
Hampton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Hampton
13.1%
Hampton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Hampton
14.3%
Hampton +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.0% | Hampton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.4% | Hampton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.5% | Hampton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.1% | Hampton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Hampton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hampton
61.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Hampton
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Hampton
8.2 µg/m³
Hampton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Hampton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hampton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Hampton
24.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hampton, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hampton leads in median household income at $67,758, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Hampton is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Hampton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.3%, and Hampton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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