Baton Rouge LA vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 36.2% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 51.0% | 32.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $419,326 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Wilmington
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Wilmington
58.4 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 58.4 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 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
23.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 23.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, 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 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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