Baton Rouge LA vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 49.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 36.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 51.0% | 2.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $858,307 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 23.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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