Baton Rouge LA vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Irvine
33.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 36.2% | 38.7% | Irvine + |
| Black | 51.0% | 2.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $1,566,872 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 43.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Irvine
503
Irvine +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Irvine + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 26.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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