Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- 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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 376,035 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.4 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 6.6% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 31.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Black | 8.5% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 2.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 7.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $55,339 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $39,698 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 22.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Los Angeles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 34.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 19.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.5% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 66.6 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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