Baton Rouge LA vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 51.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $333,043 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 405 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Sioux Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Sioux Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Sioux Falls
13.9%
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.9% | Sioux Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.9% | Sioux Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sioux Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.9%.
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