Baton Rouge LA vs Hialeah 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
221,901
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 221,901 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 45.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 36.2% | 32.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 0.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Hialeah
$53,079
Hialeah +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Hialeah
3.7%
Hialeah +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Hialeah
17.5%
Hialeah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $53,079 | Hialeah + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $25,766 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.7% | Hialeah + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.5% | Hialeah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 21.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
$444,086
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Hialeah
47.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $444,086 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 47.1% | Hialeah + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Hialeah
30.9%
Hialeah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Hialeah
12.1%
Hialeah +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 30.9% | Hialeah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 34.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.1% | Hialeah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 76.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 70.4 in | Baton Rouge + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 31.7 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hialeah leads in median household income at $53,079, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Hialeah is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Hialeah has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Hialeah has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hialeah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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