Baton Rouge LA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spokane Valley +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 105,460 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 24.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $414,734 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Spokane Valley, 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
Compare More Cities
Baton Rouge, LA vs New York, NYBaton Rouge, LA vs Los Angeles, CABaton Rouge, LA vs Chicago, ILBaton Rouge, LA vs Houston, TXBaton Rouge, LA vs Phoenix, AZBaton Rouge, LA vs Philadelphia, PA