Baton Rouge LA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 36.2% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 51.0% | 7.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 32.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $411,323 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Phoenix
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 27.7 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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