Baton Rouge LA vs Long 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.8 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 36.2% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 51.0% | 11.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Long Beach
6.5%
Long Beach +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Long Beach
15.0%
Long Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.5% | Long Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.0% | Long Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 34.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $862,599 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 40.9% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Long Beach
503
Long Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Long Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Long Beach
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 32.6 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Long Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Long Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
Compare More Cities
Baton Rouge, LA vs New York, NYBaton Rouge, LA vs Los Angeles, CABaton Rouge, LA vs Chicago, ILBaton Rouge, LA vs Houston, TXBaton Rouge, LA vs Phoenix, AZBaton Rouge, LA vs Philadelphia, PA