While our city leaders like to compare BR to more established markets like Austin, Nashville and Birmingham it is clear none of those cities should be mentioned in the same breath.

I asked GROK who the peer cities are for Baton Rouge based on some obvious factors...

What we get are Shreveport, Jackson MS and Mobile AL.

yikes...

### Overview of Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, with a city population of approximately 224,000 (metro area ~870,000). Its economy is driven by petrochemicals, manufacturing, education (e.g., Louisiana State University), and government, resulting in a moderate GDP profile. Key characteristics include:
- **Economy/GDP**: The Baton Rouge metro area's GDP was approximately $48.5 billion in 2023 (ranked around 60th among U.S. metros). Median household income: ~$50,000; poverty rate: ~25%; unemployment: ~4-5%.
- **Demographics**: Predominantly Black or African American (51%), White (36%), Hispanic/Latino (7%), Asian (4%). Median age: 32 (young, skewed by university students). High diversity but notable income inequality.
- **Quality of Life**: Affordable housing (median home value ~$223,000) and cost of living (~15% below national average), but challenged by higher crime rates, moderate air quality (AQI ~100 in 2023), hurricane risks, and limited public transit. Ranks mid-to-low in national livability indices (e.g., ~150th in U.S. News Best Places for Quality of Life).

To identify the most similar U.S. city, I compared mid-sized metros (populations 200,000–1 million) using data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Census Bureau, and livability rankings (e.g., U.S. News, Numbeo, Milken Institute). Similarity was assessed across GDP scale/economic structure, demographic composition (age, race, income), and QoL metrics (affordability, safety, health/environment).

### Comparison of Top Contenders
I shortlisted cities frequently cited as similar in Southern U.S. contexts (e.g., state capitals with energy/education sectors). The table below highlights key metrics for Baton Rouge and three close matches: Shreveport, LA; Jackson, MS; and Mobile, AL. These were selected for their Southern industrial bases, diverse demographics, and comparable affordability/challenges.

| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA (Metro) | Shreveport, LA (Metro) | Jackson, MS (Metro) | Mobile, AL (Metro) |
|-------------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------|---------------------|--------------------|
| **Population (City/Metro, 2023)** | 224k / 870k | 187k / 393k | 149k / 582k | 184k / 429k |
| **GDP (2023, $B)** | 48.5 (Rank ~60) | 29.1 (Rank ~80) | 39.2 (Rank ~70) | 27.8 (Rank ~85) |
| **Economic Drivers** | Petrochemicals, education, govt | Manufacturing, healthcare, logistics | Government, education, auto | Shipbuilding, aerospace, port |
| **Median Household Income** | $50k | $48k | $45k | $49k |
| **Poverty Rate** | 25% | 24% | 27% | 23% |
| **Racial Breakdown** | 51% Black, 36% White, 7% Hispanic | 49% Black, 45% White, 4% Hispanic | 78% Black, 18% White, 3% Hispanic | 44% Black, 48% White, 6% Hispanic |
| **Median Age** | 32 | 36 | 34 | 37 |
| **QoL Rank (U.S. News 2025)** | ~150th (mid-low) | ~160th (mid-low) | ~180th (low) | ~140th (mid) |
| **Key QoL Factors** | Affordable (~15% below avg); high crime; AQI 100; commute 25 min | Affordable (~20% below avg); similar crime; AQI 90; commute 22 min | Very affordable (~25% below avg); high crime; AQI 85; commute 23 min | Affordable (~18% below avg); moderate crime; AQI 95; commute 24 min |
| **Overall Similarity Score** (out of 10; weighted: 40% econ, 30% demo, 30% QoL) | - | 8.5 | 7.8 | 8.2 |

### Closest Match: Shreveport, LA
**Shreveport** most closely resembles Baton Rouge across all three criteria.
- **Economic GDP**: Both are Louisiana metros with energy/manufacturing-heavy economies and similar GDP scales (~$30–50B range). Shreveport's logistics and healthcare sectors mirror Baton Rouge's diversification from petrochemicals, with comparable low-to-moderate growth (2–3% annually) and income levels.
- **Demographics**: Nearly identical racial diversity (high Black population, balanced White minority), young-to-middle median age, and poverty/income profiles. Both have university influences (e.g., Louisiana Tech in Shreveport) driving youthful demographics.
- **Quality of Life**: Shared Southern affordability, environmental challenges (e.g., humidity, occasional flooding), and urban issues like crime and limited transit. Both rank similarly in livability indices, with strong community ties but room for improvement in safety and infrastructure.

While in the same state (potentially too similar for some), Shreveport offers a "twin city" feel—compact, culturally vibrant (e.g., casinos, festivals), and economically intertwined via Louisiana's oil/gas sector—without the exact same metro overlap.

#### Alternatives If Seeking Out-of-State
- **Mobile, AL**: Strong runner-up for its port-driven economy (similar to Baton Rouge's river trade) and balanced demographics. Slightly older population and better safety rankings make it a "polished" version.
- **Jackson, MS**: Best for demographic match (highest Black population among peers) but lags in GDP scale and has lower QoL due to infrastructure strains.

These similarities stem from shared Southern industrial histories, but all face climate vulnerabilities. For relocation, consider visiting—Shreveport's riverfront vibe echoes Baton Rouge's Mississippi charm. Data sources include BEA (GDP), U.S. Census (demographics), and U.S. News/Lawnstarter (QoL).