Baton Rouge LA vs Gresham 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%
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Gresham
112,818
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Gresham
37.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Gresham
4.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 112,818 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 16.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 36.2% | 67.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 51.0% | 4.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.7% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 21.1% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Gresham
23.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $73,608 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $35,390 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,691 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.7% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 23.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Gresham
$472,119
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $472,119 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 56.1% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Gresham
3001
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 355 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3001 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Gresham
20.4%
Gresham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Gresham
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 31.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.3% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 20.4% | Gresham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Gresham
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Gresham
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gresham, OR | 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
Baton Rouge +
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Gresham
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gresham, 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 +
Gresham
28.8 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Gresham, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.8 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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