Grand Rapids MI 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.4 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 6.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 31.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 17.9% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 7.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $55,339 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $55,297 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.8% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 22.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 50.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 643 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2824 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.5% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | 66.6 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 24.6 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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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