Baton Rouge LA vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Riverside
33.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 33.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 36.2% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 51.0% | 6.0% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 25.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $648,603 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Riverside
503
Riverside +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Riverside + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 34.1 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Riverside is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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