Baton Rouge LA vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 185,097 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 3.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 51.0% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 3.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $32,893 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 31.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 65.3 in | Baton Rouge + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.5 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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