New Orleans LA vs Oklahoma City 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 31.6% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 55.2% | 13.4% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $37,109 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2375 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 38.3% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.0% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Oklahoma City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Oklahoma City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Oklahoma City 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