Baton Rouge LA vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 153,455 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 36.2% | 30.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 1.5% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $2,144,024 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 43.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 25.3 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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