Baton Rouge LA vs New York 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
New York
35.9%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 36.2% | 35.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 22.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
New York
7.7%
New York +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.7% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $816,078 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 32.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 44.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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