Baton Rouge LA vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
32.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 161,993 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 32.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 36.2% | 21.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $28,813 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 15.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $751,711 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.8 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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