Baton Rouge LA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 220,482 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 36.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 51.0% | 10.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 33.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $496,966 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 31.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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