Baton Rouge LA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 36.2% | 25.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $51,211 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $32,314 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 8.3% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 22.5% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 28.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 46.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Memphis
639
Memphis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 639 | Memphis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Memphis
20.7%
Memphis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.7% | Memphis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Memphis
54.9 in
Memphis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 54.9 in | Memphis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, and Memphis 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%.
Compare More Cities
Baton Rouge, LA vs New York, NYBaton Rouge, LA vs Los Angeles, CABaton Rouge, LA vs Chicago, ILBaton Rouge, LA vs Houston, TXBaton Rouge, LA vs Phoenix, AZBaton Rouge, LA vs Philadelphia, PA