New Orleans LA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 31.6% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 55.2% | 11.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Omaha
40.3%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 40.3% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $297,017 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
New Orleans +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 37.5% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.0% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 20.0% | New Orleans + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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