Baton Rouge LA vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Yonkers
38.0%
Yonkers +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 209,529 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 36.2% | 38.0% | Yonkers + |
| Black | 51.0% | 17.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Yonkers
7.4%
Yonkers +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 35.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $685,544 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 37.5 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Yonkers has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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