Baton Rouge LA vs Bloomington MN — 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%
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Bloomington
71,261
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Bloomington
37.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Bloomington
8.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Bloomington
9.5%
Bloomington +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Bloomington
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 71,261 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.1% | Bloomington + |
| White | 36.2% | 72.7% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 51.0% | 8.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 9.5% | Bloomington + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Bloomington
$44,640
Bloomington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Bloomington
36.1%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $103,382 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $44,640 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,467 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 6.5% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 36.1% | Bloomington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Bloomington
$366,438
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $366,438 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 85.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Bloomington
1992
Bloomington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 284 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1992 | Bloomington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Bloomington
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 26.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.9% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.5% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.4% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bloomington, MN | 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
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Bloomington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bloomington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Bloomington
27.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 27.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Bloomington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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