Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Memphis
25.0%
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
New Orleans
55.2%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 376,035 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.4 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.6% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 31.6% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 62.9% | 55.2% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 7.9% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Memphis +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $55,297 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 22.6% | Memphis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $245,988 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Memphis +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 643 | Memphis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2824 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.7% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Memphis +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 66.6 in | Memphis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 24.6 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Memphis is safer with a violent crime rate of 639 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, 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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