Baton Rouge LA vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Pasadena
7.1%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 67,231 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 42.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 36.2% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 51.0% | 2.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 7.1% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $1,215,642 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Pasadena
503
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.8 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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