Baton Rouge LA vs Richmond 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Richmond
37.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 115,396 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 36.2% | 21.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 17.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Richmond
7.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 7.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 32.6% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $608,357 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Richmond
503
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 17.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Richmond
58.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 37.7 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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