Baton Rouge LA vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 36.2% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 51.0% | 11.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Las Vegas
7.2%
Las Vegas +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 27.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $426,069 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2417 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 27.7 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Las Vegas has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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