Baton Rouge LA vs Bellingham 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%
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Bellingham
34.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Bellingham
9.1%
Bellingham +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 92,367 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.1% | Bellingham + |
| White | 36.2% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.4% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 10.0% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Bellingham
$65,821
Bellingham +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bellingham
18.3%
Bellingham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $65,821 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $42,120 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.6% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 18.3% | Bellingham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $669,185 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 45.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Bellingham
19.7%
Bellingham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.7% | Bellingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bellingham
51.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 35.3 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellingham leads in median household income at $65,821, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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