Baton Rouge LA vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 121,537 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 51.0% | 28.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Lafayette
$55,297
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $55,297 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Lafayette
643
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Lafayette
2824
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 643 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2824 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Lafayette
61.0 in
Lafayette +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 61.0 in | Lafayette + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lafayette, LA | 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
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Lafayette is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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