Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 38.4 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 82.8% | 31.6% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 7.9% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $55,339 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $39,698 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $55,297 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.8% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 22.6% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 41.9% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 50.5% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Arvada +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 643 | Arvada + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2824 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
New Orleans
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
New Orleans
19.7%
New Orleans +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 34.0% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.1% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.4% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.7% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 19.7% | New Orleans + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.5% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Arvada, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Arvada is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Arvada, CO vs New York, NYArvada, CO vs Los Angeles, CAArvada, CO vs Chicago, ILArvada, CO vs Houston, TXArvada, CO vs Phoenix, AZArvada, CO vs Philadelphia, PA