Baton Rouge LA vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 57,088 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 36.2% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 51.0% | 6.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 32.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $1,274,801 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Kirkland
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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