Baton Rouge LA vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 98,677 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 36.2% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 51.0% | 29.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Roanoke
$52,671
Roanoke +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $52,671 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 28.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $279,668 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Roanoke
16.7%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 41.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roanoke leads in median household income at $52,671, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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