Baton Rouge LA vs Tallahassee 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 199,696 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 36.2% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 51.0% | 35.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $293,664 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 39.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.3% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 58.1 in | Tallahassee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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