New Orleans LA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 86,973 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 31.6% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 55.2% | 1.9% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.6% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $33,579 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 25.6% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $509,396 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.5% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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