New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
New Haven
36.8%
New Haven +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.4 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 6.6% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 31.6% | New Haven + |
| Black | 30.6% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.8% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 7.9% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $55,297 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 7.8% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 50.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | New Haven, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 643 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2824 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.1% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.4% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.7% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.5% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | New Haven, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 66.6 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 24.6 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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