New Orleans LA vs Pearland 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%
Pearland, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$382,066
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Pearland
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Pearland
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Pearland
N/A
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Pearland
N/A
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Pearland
N/A
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
Pearland
N/A
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Pearland
N/A
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Pearland
N/A
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 31.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 55.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Pearland
N/A
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Pearland
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Pearland
$63,758
Pearland +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Pearland
N/A
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Pearland
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Pearland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Pearland
$382,066
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $382,066 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Pearland
442
Pearland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Pearland
2339
Pearland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Pearland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Pearland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Pearland
33.4%
Pearland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Pearland
10.9%
Pearland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Pearland
14.8%
Pearland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Pearland
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Pearland
16.4%
Pearland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Pearland
9.6%
Pearland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.4% | Pearland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.9% | Pearland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.8% | Pearland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.4% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.4% | Pearland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.6% | Pearland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Pearland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pearland, 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 +
Pearland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Pearland
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pearland, 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
Pearland
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pearland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Pearland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pearland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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