New Orleans LA vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 114,080 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 31.6% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 55.2% | 6.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.9% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $35,655 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 18.3% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $253,423 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Odessa
18.1%
Odessa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.4% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 25.4% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 18.1% | Odessa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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