Baton Rouge LA vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 36.2% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 51.0% | 22.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 4.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $240,538 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 25.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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