Baton Rouge LA vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 51.0% | 8.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Lubbock
34.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 34.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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