Baton Rouge LA vs Springfield 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 169,432 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 3.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 51.0% | 4.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $45,984 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $30,864 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 30.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $245,279 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 42.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, 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
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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