Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Atlanta, GA
VS
Baton Rouge, LA
🏆 Atlanta leads 13 of 23 categories
Atlanta
Georgia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,655 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
221⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
494,838 ✓ Larger
Baton Rouge
Louisiana
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$50,155
Violent Crime Index
270⚠ High
Population
225,500
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Atlanta, GA
Pros
Households earn $27,500 more per year on average
18% less violent crime than Baton Rouge
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (5.8%)
More college-educated — 57.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $395,600
Higher rents — median is $1,512/mo
Violent crime (840.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3748.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Baton Rouge, LA
Pros
Homes cost $178k less ($217,700 vs $395,600)
Rent averages $502/mo less ($1,010 vs $1,512)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Atlanta
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 61°F vs 54°F
Cons
Median income trails Atlanta by $27,500/yr
Violent crime (1027.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5852.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 5.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Atlanta
Median Income
$27,500
$77,655 vs $50,155/yr
Atlanta
Violent Crime
18% lower
840.6 vs 1027.7 per 100k
Atlanta
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
5.8% vs 8.6% unemployment
Baton Rouge
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Baton Rouge
Median Home Value
$178k less
$217,700 vs $395,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Baton Rouge, LA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $395,600⚠ High | $217,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,512⚠ High | $1,010 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $77,655 ✓ Higher | $50,155 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.5 min | 21.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 204⚠ High ✓ Safer | 274⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 221⚠ High ✓ Safer | 270⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 279⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (120) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 57.3% ✓ Higher | 36.4% |
| High School or Higher | 92.9% ✓ Higher | 87.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Atlanta Public Schools | East Baton Rouge Parish |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 53.7°F | 60.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.0°F | 90.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" ✓ Drier | 67.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.5" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 494,838 ✓ Larger | 225,500 |
| Median Age | 33.6 ✓ Older | 31.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 47.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | 20.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Baton Rouge's 90.8 (US average = 100).
Baton Rouge is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Atlanta leads 13 of 23 categories. Atlanta wins 13 and Baton Rouge wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Atlanta to Baton Rouge or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($395,600 vs $217,700 median home), income ($77,655 vs $50,155), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Atlanta, GA and Baton Rouge, LA are about 455 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.