Baton Rouge LA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 84,155 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 36.2% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 51.0% | 22.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 21.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Westland
20.0%
Westland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.0% | Westland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Westland, MI | 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
Baton Rouge +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
Baton Rouge +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 27.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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