Baton Rouge LA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
33.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 102,866 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 36.2% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 51.0% | 24.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $29,511 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 29.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.3% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 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
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Baton Rouge 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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