Baton Rouge LA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 36.2% | 16.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 46.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Baton Rouge +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $48,416 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $25,509 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 10.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 17.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $482,675 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 24.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Newark
20.0%
Newark +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.0% | Newark + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 23.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 35.9 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has a lower unemployment rate at 9.0%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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