Baton Rouge LA vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 125,273 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 41.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 36.2% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 51.0% | 19.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Palm Bay
$34,474
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Palm Bay
5.9%
Palm Bay +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $34,474 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Palm Bay + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 22.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $304,173 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 29.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Palm Bay has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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