Baton Rouge LA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 91,535 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 42.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 36.2% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 51.0% | 4.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $865,610 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 28.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 20.7% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 28.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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