Baton Rouge LA vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 43.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 36.2% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 51.0% | 19.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $331,500 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 26.8 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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