Baton Rouge LA vs Honolulu HI — 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%
Honolulu, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$760,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Honolulu
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Honolulu
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Honolulu
N/A
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Honolulu
N/A
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Honolulu
N/A
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Honolulu
N/A
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Honolulu
N/A
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Honolulu
N/A
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 51.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Honolulu
N/A
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Honolulu
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Honolulu
$63,296
Honolulu +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Honolulu
N/A
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Honolulu
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,296 | Honolulu + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Honolulu
$760,355
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $760,355 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Honolulu
276
Honolulu +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Honolulu
2592
Honolulu +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 276 | Honolulu + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2592 | Honolulu + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Honolulu
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Honolulu
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Honolulu
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Honolulu
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Honolulu
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Honolulu
77.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Honolulu
17.1 in
Honolulu +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 77.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 17.1 in | Honolulu + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Honolulu
3.3 µg/m³
Honolulu +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Honolulu
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Honolulu + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Honolulu
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Honolulu, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Honolulu is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Honolulu has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³).
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