Baton Rouge LA vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 68,141 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 42.1 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 36.2% | 17.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 5.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $523,551 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Vallejo
503
Vallejo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Vallejo
2388
Vallejo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Vallejo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Vallejo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Vallejo
13.3%
Vallejo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Vallejo
9.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.3% | Vallejo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Vallejo, 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 36.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Vallejo is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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