Baton Rouge LA vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 92,577 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 40.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 36.2% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 51.0% | 11.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Roswell
$57,405
Roswell +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,405 | Roswell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $662,209 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roswell, GA | 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
Baton Rouge +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roswell, GA | 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 +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 29.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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