Baton Rouge LA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
36.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 119,970 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 36.2% | 26.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 36.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $45,300 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $27,319 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 10.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 25.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 18.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 25.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Hartford
20.8%
Hartford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.8% | Hartford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has a lower unemployment rate at 9.0%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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