Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 376,035 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.4 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 6.6% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 31.6% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.8% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 7.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $55,339 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $39,698 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.8% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 22.6% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Dallas +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.1% | Dallas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.4% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.7% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.5% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 66.6 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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