Baton Rouge LA vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
New Haven
31.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
New Haven
30.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 132,893 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 31.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.2% | 36.8% | New Haven + |
| Black | 51.0% | 30.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
New Haven
$53,771
New Haven +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
New Haven
25.0%
Tie
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $53,771 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.7% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 25.0% | Tie |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
New Haven
$330,564
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $330,564 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 28.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
New Haven
37.9%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 37.9% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Haven leads in median household income at $53,771, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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