Baton Rouge LA vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 71,124 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 36.2% | 32.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Wilmington
7.6%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Wilmington
23.2%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.6% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 23.2% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 33.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $327,117 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 46.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 41.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 25.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and Wilmington 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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