Baton Rouge LA vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 136,859 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 7.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 51.0% | 8.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,226 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 32.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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