Baton Rouge LA vs Bend OR — 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%
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 97,502 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| White | 36.2% | 65.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 51.0% | 2.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 17.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $94,279 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $51,659 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,691 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 9.9% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 49.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $735,193 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 49.8% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Bend
3001
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3001 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Bend
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Bend
46.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Bend
26.1 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 26.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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