New Orleans LA vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 68,505 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 31.6% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 55.2% | 9.0% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 3.1% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $561,069 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 46.7% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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