Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Houston
22.9%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 376,035 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.4 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 6.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 31.6% | Houston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 7.9% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $55,339 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $39,698 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.8% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 22.6% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.1% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.4% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.5% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 66.6 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Houston, TX | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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