Baton Rouge LA vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 114,799 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 36.2% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 51.0% | 10.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 29.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $484,226 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 44.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Lowell
18.5%
Lowell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.5% | Lowell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 30.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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