New Orleans LA vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 138,723 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 31.6% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 55.2% | 1.6% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Ontario
4.7%
Ontario +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.7% | Ontario + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 40.1% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $671,948 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Ontario
503
Ontario +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Ontario + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.0% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 28.2 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Ontario is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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