Baton Rouge LA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 28,542 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 42.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 51.0% | 3.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 4.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $321,835 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 38.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 26.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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