Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 376,035 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.4 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 6.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 31.6% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.9% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $55,339 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $39,698 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $55,297 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.8% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 22.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 50.5% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 643 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2824 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.4% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 66.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.6 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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