Baton Rouge LA vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 31.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
New Orleans
$55,297
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $55,297 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $245,988 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
New Orleans
643
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
New Orleans
2824
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 643 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2824 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Baton Rouge +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 66.6 in | Baton Rouge + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, New Orleans is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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