Baton Rouge LA vs Savannah 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
33.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Savannah
7.1%
Savannah +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 147,546 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 51.0% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.1% | Savannah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Savannah
$57,405
Savannah +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $32,004 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,405 | Savannah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 32.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $326,132 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 44.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Savannah, 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
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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