New Orleans LA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 31.6% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 55.2% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 32.3% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $411,323 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.3% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 27.7 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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