Baton Rouge LA vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
32.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Milwaukee
36.5%
Milwaukee +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
38.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.2% | 36.5% | Milwaukee + |
| Black | 51.0% | 38.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $29,679 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 26.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 41.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 41.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Baton Rouge +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Baton Rouge 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%.
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