Baton Rouge LA vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
28.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 3.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 51.0% | 28.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Toledo
$58,300
Toledo +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Toledo
8.5%
Toledo +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Toledo
24.5%
Toledo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $47,532 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $27,407 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,300 | Toledo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 8.5% | Toledo + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 24.5% | Toledo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 21.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Toledo
20.6%
Toledo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.6% | Toledo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.3 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
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Toledo has a lower unemployment rate at 8.5%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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