New Orleans LA vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 44,998 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 57.8 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 31.6% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 55.2% | 5.4% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 8.2% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $503,393 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Palmdale
18.6%
Palmdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.6% | Palmdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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