Baton Rouge LA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 124,865 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $534,732 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 23.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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