Baton Rouge LA vs Mount Vernon NY — 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%
Mount Vernon, NY
New York · Population: 72,528
- Median HH Income$77,171
- Median Home Price$579,771
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Mount Vernon
72,528
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Mount Vernon
41.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Mount Vernon
31.9%
Mount Vernon +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Mount Vernon
16.2%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Mount Vernon
60.4%
Mount Vernon +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Mount Vernon
2.2%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Mount Vernon
18.3%
Mount Vernon +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 72,528 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 41.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 31.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| White | 36.2% | 16.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 60.4% | Mount Vernon + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 18.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Mount Vernon
$77,171
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Mount Vernon
$42,158
Mount Vernon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Mount Vernon
$77,425
Mount Vernon +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Mount Vernon
6.9%
Mount Vernon +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Mount Vernon
35.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $77,171 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $42,158 | Mount Vernon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Mount Vernon + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.9% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 35.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Mount Vernon
$579,771
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Mount Vernon
42.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $579,771 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 42.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Mount Vernon
434
Mount Vernon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Mount Vernon
1736
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Mount Vernon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Mount Vernon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Mount Vernon
33.2%
Mount Vernon +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Mount Vernon
13.6%
Mount Vernon +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Mount Vernon
16.3%
Mount Vernon +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Mount Vernon
9.3%
Mount Vernon +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Mount Vernon
12.8%
Mount Vernon +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 33.2% | Mount Vernon + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Mount Vernon + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Mount Vernon + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.8% | Mount Vernon + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Mount Vernon
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Mount Vernon
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | 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
Mount Vernon
8.1 µg/m³
Mount Vernon +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Mount Vernon
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Mount Vernon + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Mount Vernon
38.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Mount Vernon, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 38.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mount Vernon leads in median household income at $77,171, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Mount Vernon is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Mount Vernon has a lower unemployment rate at 6.9%, and Mount Vernon has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mount Vernon scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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