New Orleans LA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 235,037 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 31.6% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 55.2% | 39.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $37,433 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 32.7% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $310,519 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 45.7% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Norfolk
19.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.9% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.9% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.1% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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