Baton Rouge LA vs Torrance 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 95,358 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.2 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 36.2% | 34.8% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 6.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 26.2% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $1,128,110 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Torrance
503
Torrance +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Torrance + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 44.9 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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