Baton Rouge LA vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 129,239 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.5 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 36.2% | 31.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 2.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $720,443 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 41.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 25.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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