Baton Rouge LA vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Independence
5.3%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 121,944 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 51.0% | 10.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $31,683 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 20.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Independence
2418
Independence +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Baton Rouge +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 25.5 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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