New Orleans LA vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 128,714 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 31.6% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 55.2% | 5.1% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $37,897 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $264,711 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Norman
2375
Norman +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 429 | Norman + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2375 | Norman + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Norman
18.8%
Norman +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Norman
9.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.8% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Norman + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.2% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
Compare More Cities
New Orleans, LA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Orleans, LAChicago, IL vs New Orleans, LAHouston, TX vs New Orleans, LANew Orleans, LA vs Phoenix, AZNew Orleans, LA vs Philadelphia, PA