Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Chicago +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Chicago
28.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 376,035 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.4 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 6.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 31.6% | Chicago + |
| Black | 28.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.8% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 7.9% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $55,339 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $39,698 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 22.6% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 41.9% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 34.0% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.1% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.4% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 19.7% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.5% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 66.6 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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