Baton Rouge LA vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 71,455 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 51.0% | 6.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Johnson City
49.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $294,254 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 49.8% | Johnson City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Johnson City
639
Johnson City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 639 | Johnson City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2350 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 21.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Johnson City, TN | 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
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Johnson City is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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