Baton Rouge LA vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 94,723 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 36.2% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 51.0% | 0.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $672,082 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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