Baton Rouge LA vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Utica
33.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 51,054 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 36.2% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 51.0% | 16.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Baton Rouge +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Utica
23.8%
Utica +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 9.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.8% | Utica + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 36.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge has a lower unemployment rate at 9.0%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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