Baton Rouge LA vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Norman
7.2%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 128,714 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 51.0% | 5.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $264,711 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Norman
24.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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