Baton Rouge LA vs Corona 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%
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Corona
158,839
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Corona
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Corona
37.3
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Corona
24.2%
Corona +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Corona
41.6%
Corona +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Corona
5.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Corona
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 158,839 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.3 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 24.2% | Corona + |
| White | 36.2% | 41.6% | Corona + |
| Black | 51.0% | 5.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 11.5% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 48.3% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Corona
$40,453
Corona +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Corona
5.4%
Corona +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Corona
9.1%
Corona +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Corona
30.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $106,438 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $40,453 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.4% | Corona + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 9.1% | Corona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 30.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Corona
$765,560
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Corona
63.4%
Corona +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $765,560 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 63.4% | Corona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Corona
503
Corona +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Corona
2388
Corona +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Corona + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Corona + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Corona
35.1%
Corona +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Corona
17.2%
Corona +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Corona
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Corona
10.8%
Corona +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.1% | Corona + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | Corona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.2% | Corona + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.8% | Corona + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Corona
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Corona
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corona, CA | 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
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Corona +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Corona
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Corona + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Corona
38.4 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Corona, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 38.4 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Corona is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Corona has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Corona has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Corona scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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