New Orleans LA vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 303,620 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 31.6% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 55.2% | 22.5% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.2% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 47.2% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.0 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
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