Baton Rouge LA vs High Point NC — 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
High Point
32.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
High Point
12.3%
High Point +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 115,263 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 36.2% | 46.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 51.0% | 32.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.3% | High Point + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
High Point
33.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 33.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $251,699 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 37.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
High Point
46.1 in
High Point +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 46.1 in | High Point + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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