Albany GA vs New Orleans LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Albany
18.9%
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
New Orleans
55.2%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 18.9% | 31.6% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 76.3% | 55.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Albany, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $55,297 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Albany, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $245,988 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Albany, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 643 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2824 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Albany, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 19.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Albany +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Albany, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 66.6 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Albany, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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