Baton Rouge LA vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 36.2% | 28.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 21.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $664,939 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 28.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Jersey City
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 40.3 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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