Baton Rouge LA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 149,519 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 41.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 51.0% | 4.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 31.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $422,520 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 32.8 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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