Baton Rouge LA vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 36.2% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 51.0% | 14.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $52,606 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $332,727 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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