Baton Rouge LA vs Knoxville 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
33.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Knoxville
7.5%
Knoxville +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 193,721 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 51.0% | 15.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.5% | Knoxville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
33.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $50,994 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,171 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,097 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 33.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $371,202 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 46.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Knoxville
639
Knoxville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 639 | Knoxville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2350 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 22.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Knoxville
51.9 in
Knoxville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 51.9 in | Knoxville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Knoxville, 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
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Knoxville is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Knoxville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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