Baton Rouge LA vs Bismarck ND — 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%
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Bismarck
38.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 74,146 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 3.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 51.0% | 2.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 3.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Bismarck
$77,608
Bismarck +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Bismarck
$44,475
Bismarck +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bismarck
9.7%
Bismarck +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $77,608 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $44,475 | Bismarck + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $71,089 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 9.7% | Bismarck + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 38.7% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Bismarck
$373,227
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $373,227 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Bismarck
2037
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2037 | Bismarck + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Bismarck
35.2%
Bismarck +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Bismarck
9.4%
Bismarck +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.2% | Bismarck + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.4% | Bismarck + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bismarck
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Bismarck
19.6 in
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 19.6 in | Bismarck + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Bismarck +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Bismarck + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bismarck leads in median household income at $77,608, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Bismarck has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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