Baton Rouge LA vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 149,827 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 1.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 14.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 0.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 2.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
26.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $43,238 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $26,868 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $46,995 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 9.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 26.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 28.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1808 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 46.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Jackson
54.1 in
Jackson +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 54.1 in | Jackson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.0 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
Jackson
21.9 min
Jackson +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.9 min | Jackson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has a lower unemployment rate at 9.0%, 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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