Baton Rouge LA vs Lee's Summit 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 102,583 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 51.0% | 10.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $313,200 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Lee's Summit
501
Lee's Summit +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Lee's Summit
2418
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | Lee's Summit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | Lee's Summit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | 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
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lee's Summit, 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 +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 26.9 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Lee's Summit is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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