Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.4 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 6.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 31.6% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.8% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 7.9% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $55,339 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $55,297 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.8% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $245,988 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 50.5% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 643 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2824 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.4% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 66.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.6 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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