Baton Rouge LA vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Huntsville
218,814
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Huntsville
36.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Huntsville
6.6%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Huntsville
2.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 218,814 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 51.0% | 29.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Huntsville
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $288,707 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Huntsville
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Huntsville
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.2% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 54.3 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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