New Orleans LA vs Newark NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Newark
16.5%
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 307,188 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 31.6% | 16.5% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 55.2% | 46.7% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.9% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $48,416 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $25,509 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 10.9% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 24.7% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 17.4% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $482,675 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 24.1% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.9% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.0% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 23.4% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.2% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 35.9 min | New Orleans + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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