Baton Rouge LA vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
39.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 202,739 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 36.2% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 51.0% | 39.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $53,714 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Little Rock
2507
Little Rock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 660 | Baton Rouge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2507 | Little Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 50.0 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Baton Rouge is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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