Baton Rouge LA vs Des Moines 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%
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Des Moines
212,464
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Des Moines
34.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Des Moines
12.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Des Moines
16.0%
Des Moines +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Des Moines
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 212,464 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.0% | Des Moines + |
| White | 36.2% | 66.9% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 51.0% | 12.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 6.2% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 16.0% | Des Moines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Des Moines
$61,226
Des Moines +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Des Moines
29.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $63,966 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $36,459 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,226 | Des Moines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.9% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 29.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $210,703 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 60.5% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 296 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1452 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Des Moines
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Des Moines
19.0%
Des Moines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Des Moines
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Des Moines
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.0% | Des Moines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Des Moines
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 35.6 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Des Moines
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Des Moines, 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
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Des Moines, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.1 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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