Baton Rouge LA vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 118,578 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 51.0% | 14.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $265,013 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 46.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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