Baton Rouge LA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 26,509 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 51.0% | 3.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 3.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $344,633 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.3 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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