Baton Rouge LA vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 154,751 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 36.2% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 51.0% | 20.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Springfield
$51,339
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $51,339 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $27,054 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 25.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 19.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $298,985 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Springfield
14.8%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 21.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MA | 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
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $51,339, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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