Baton Rouge LA vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 39.7 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 36.2% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 51.0% | 5.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $1,369,171 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 38.5% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 33.9 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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