Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 38.4 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 6.6% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 31.6% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.8% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 7.9% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $55,339 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $39,698 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $55,297 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 7.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 22.6% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Manchester, NH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 643 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2824 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.1% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 19.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.7% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.5% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Manchester +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Manchester, NH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 66.6 in | Manchester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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