New Orleans LA vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 287,339 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 39.3 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 31.6% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 55.2% | 9.0% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $507,575 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.3% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Plano, 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 27.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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