Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Athens
26.2%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 6.6% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 31.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.8% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 7.9% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $55,297 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.8% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 41.9% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 643 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2824 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Orleans
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 66.6 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.6 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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