Baton Rouge LA vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 11,627 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 36.2% | 52.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 51.0% | 15.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Miami Gardens +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $472,888 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 29.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Miami Gardens has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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