Baton Rouge LA vs Lansing 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
33.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 112,546 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 36.2% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 51.0% | 23.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Lansing
$52,170
Lansing +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Lansing
8.1%
Lansing +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Lansing
19.9%
Lansing +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $52,170 | Lansing + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $29,894 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 8.1% | Lansing + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.9% | Lansing + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 29.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Lansing
53.9%
Lansing +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 53.9% | Lansing + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Lansing
19.6%
Lansing +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 19.6% | Lansing + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lansing, 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
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lansing leads in median household income at $52,170, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Lansing has a lower unemployment rate at 8.1%, 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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