Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 38.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 6.6% | Modesto + |
| White | 50.8% | 31.6% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 2.8% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 7.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $55,339 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 7.8% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 22.6% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 50.5% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Modesto +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Modesto + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 15.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.4% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.7% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.5% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 66.6 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Modesto is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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