Baton Rouge LA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 107,699 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 51.0% | 42.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $48,536 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $31,324 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $231,461 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 45.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 21.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 55.0 in | Tuscaloosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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