Baton Rouge LA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 190,214 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 36.2% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 51.0% | 13.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 34.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $429,449 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 41.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 27.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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