Baton Rouge LA vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 138,723 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 36.2% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $671,948 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Ontario
503
Ontario +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Ontario + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 17.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Ontario is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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