Baton Rouge LA vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Grand Rapids
32.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 197,768 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 36.2% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 51.0% | 17.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $309,801 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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