Baton Rouge LA vs Huntington Beach 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%
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Huntington Beach
196,010
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Huntington Beach
43.4
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Huntington Beach +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 196,010 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 43.4 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 16.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 36.2% | 64.3% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 19.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $119,885 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $62,450 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 7.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 47.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $1,364,265 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 55.8% | Huntington Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Huntington Beach
503
Huntington Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Huntington Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 24.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.9% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Huntington Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Huntington Beach
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington Beach, 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
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Huntington Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Huntington Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Huntington Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 31.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Huntington Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Huntington Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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