Baton Rouge LA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Norfolk
32.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 36.2% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 51.0% | 39.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 32.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $310,519 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 45.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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