Baton Rouge LA vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 71,542 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 51.0% | 6.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $31,499 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 22.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Charles, MO | 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
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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