Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.4 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 6.6% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 31.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $55,297 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 7.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 643 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2824 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 66.6 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
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, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, 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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