Baton Rouge, LA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 92% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Baton Rouge Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Baton Rouge has a crime rate that is 70% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 155.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 155
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
70% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 27
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
106% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Baton Rouge Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
170 | +70% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
177 | +77% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
151 | +51% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
152 | +52% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
158 | +58% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
195 | +95% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
189 | +89% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Baton Rouge Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Baton Rouge Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Baton Rouge zip codes.
Baton Rouge Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Baton Rouge, LA?
Baton Rouge, LA has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 70% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 155 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 27 chance for property crime. Baton Rouge has higher crime than 92% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Baton Rouge, LA safe to live in?
Baton Rouge has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Baton Rouge is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Baton Rouge?
The estimated violent crime rate in Baton Rouge is 646.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 70% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 155 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.5 per 100K (70% above average); aggravated assault at 475.7 per 100K (77% above average); robbery at 111.3 per 100K (51% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Baton Rouge?
The estimated property crime rate in Baton Rouge is 3,767.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 106% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 27 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 426.3 per 100K (58% above average); larceny/theft at 2,737.5 per 100K (95% above average); vehicle theft at 603.5 per 100K (89% above average).
How does Baton Rouge crime compare to the national average?
Baton Rouge's overall crime rate is 70% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (95% above average), while robbery is 51% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Baton Rouge has higher crime than 92% of them.
Is Baton Rouge safe to visit?
Visitors to Baton Rouge should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 106% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Baton Rouge crime compare to the rest of Louisiana?
Louisiana as a whole has crime that is 17% above the national average. Baton Rouge's crime rate is 70% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Louisiana city.
What type of crime is most common in Baton Rouge?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Baton Rouge, with an estimated rate of 2,737.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 95% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,767 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (647 per 100K) in Baton Rouge, which is consistent with national trends.