Baton Rouge LA vs Huntington WV — 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%
Huntington, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
46,189
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Huntington
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
34.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
1.8%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
6.5%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
1.3%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
2.0%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Huntington
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 46,189 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 1.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 85.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 51.0% | 6.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 2.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
$43,146
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
$30,024
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
$50,163
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Huntington
7.6%
Huntington +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
34.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $43,146 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $30,024 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $50,163 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.6% | Huntington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 27.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 34.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $138,553 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 52.5% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
24.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
20.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 46.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 24.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.7% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Huntington
56.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Huntington
43.1 in
Huntington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 43.1 in | Huntington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington, WV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.2 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Huntington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Huntington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, 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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