Baton Rouge LA vs Bellevue WA — 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%
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Bellevue
151,199
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Bellevue
38.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Bellevue
45.0%
Bellevue +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Bellevue
2.2%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Bellevue
8.5%
Bellevue +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 151,199 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 42.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 36.2% | 45.0% | Bellevue + |
| Black | 51.0% | 2.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 41.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 8.5% | Bellevue + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $161,300 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $92,441 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.0% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 7.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 71.4% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Bellevue
51.9%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $1,527,243 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 51.9% | Bellevue + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Bellevue
3409
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 18.8% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 12.5% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.4% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 5.5% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellevue, WA | 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
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Bellevue
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Bellevue
25.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 25.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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