Baton Rouge LA vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 102,558 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 51.0% | 12.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $31,987 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 25.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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