New Orleans LA vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 125,983 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.5 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 31.6% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 55.2% | 18.1% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.1% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 32.1% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 36.1 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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