Baton Rouge LA vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Shreveport
36.5%
Shreveport +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 183,483 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 2.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 36.5% | Shreveport + |
| Black | 51.0% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 3.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Shreveport
$55,297
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Shreveport
8.9%
Shreveport +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Shreveport
23.6%
Shreveport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $48,465 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $55,297 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 8.9% | Shreveport + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.6% | Shreveport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 27.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Shreveport
643
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Shreveport
2824
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 643 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2824 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Shreveport
20.1%
Shreveport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Shreveport
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 43.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.1% | Shreveport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Shreveport
52.7 in
Shreveport +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 52.7 in | Shreveport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Shreveport is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Shreveport has a lower unemployment rate at 8.9%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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