Baton Rouge LA vs Oklahoma City 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 36.2% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 51.0% | 13.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 34.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2375 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 38.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 23.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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