Baton Rouge LA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 38.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 36.2% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 51.0% | 5.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $538,687 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Baton Rouge +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3001 | Baton Rouge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Baton Rouge +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 78.3 in | Baton Rouge + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 26.5 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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