Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 376,035 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 6.6% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 31.6% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.8% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 7.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $55,339 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 22.6% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Fresno +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Fresno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.1% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.7% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.5% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 66.6 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.6 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Fresno is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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