Baton Rouge LA vs Berkeley CA — 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%
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Berkeley
32.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Berkeley
7.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 120,223 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 21.3% | Berkeley + |
| White | 36.2% | 54.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 51.0% | 7.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 12.1% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $108,558 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $66,936 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.0% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 16.8% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Berkeley
43.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $1,451,222 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 43.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.1% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 26.7 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 32.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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