Baton Rouge LA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.0 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 36.2% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 51.0% | 18.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $334,719 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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