New Orleans LA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 31.6% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 55.2% | 39.9% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $37,669 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 8.4% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 34.6% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 34.5 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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