Baton Rouge LA vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Houston
22.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 36.2% | 35.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 22.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $62,894 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Houston
$265,062
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $265,062 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 42.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 38.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 24.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 48.7 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 29.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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