Baton Rouge LA vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 36.2% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 51.0% | 23.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $52,606 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 33.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $264,957 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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