Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
New Orleans
376,035
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Miami
13.7%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Miami
1.6%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 376,035 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.4 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 6.6% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 31.6% | Miami + |
| Black | 13.7% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 7.9% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Miami, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $55,339 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $39,698 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $55,297 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.8% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 22.6% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Miami, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Miami, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 643 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2824 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Miami, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 34.0% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.4% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.5% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Miami +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Miami, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 66.6 in | Miami + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Miami, FL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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