Baton Rouge LA vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 154,776 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 36.2% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 51.0% | 20.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $28,059 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 20.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 41.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 18.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 23.7 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
Compare More Cities
Baton Rouge, LA vs New York, NYBaton Rouge, LA vs Los Angeles, CABaton Rouge, LA vs Chicago, ILBaton Rouge, LA vs Houston, TXBaton Rouge, LA vs Phoenix, AZBaton Rouge, LA vs Philadelphia, PA