Baton Rouge LA vs Escondido 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 107,066 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 36.2% | 13.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 0.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Escondido
6.4%
Escondido +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $64,484 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $24,356 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.4% | Escondido + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 17.2% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 14.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $849,335 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 40.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Escondido
503
Escondido +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Escondido
2388
Escondido +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Escondido + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Escondido + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.3% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.0% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 31.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Escondido is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Escondido has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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