Baton Rouge LA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 141,925 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 36.2% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 51.0% | 20.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $28,819 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 28.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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