Baton Rouge LA vs Davenport 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%
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
101,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Davenport
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
37.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
4.6%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
11.2%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
1.9%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Davenport
9.1%
Davenport +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Davenport
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 101,083 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 75.9% | Davenport + |
| Black | 51.0% | 11.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 9.1% | Davenport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
30.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $64,497 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $36,583 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,226 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.8% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.6% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 30.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $191,117 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 63.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 296 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1452 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
21.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.7% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.8% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 21.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Davenport
49.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 36.0 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Davenport
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Davenport, 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
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 20.4 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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