Baton Rouge LA vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Sparks
N/A
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 51.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $530,668 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
Compare More Cities
Baton Rouge, LA vs New York, NYBaton Rouge, LA vs Los Angeles, CABaton Rouge, LA vs Chicago, ILBaton Rouge, LA vs Houston, TXBaton Rouge, LA vs Phoenix, AZBaton Rouge, LA vs Philadelphia, PA