Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 376,035 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.4 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 6.6% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 31.6% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.8% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Atlanta +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $55,339 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $39,698 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $55,297 | Atlanta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.8% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.6% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 41.9% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 643 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2824 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 34.0% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.1% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.4% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.7% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.5% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Atlanta +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 66.6 in | Atlanta + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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