Baton Rouge LA vs Glendale 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Glendale
192,270
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 192,270 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 41.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 36.2% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Glendale
8.2%
Glendale +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $84,262 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $46,597 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 8.2% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 13.4% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $1,205,826 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 35.3% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Glendale
503
Glendale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.4% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 17.3 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 30.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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