New Orleans LA vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.6 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 31.6% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 55.2% | 5.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $538,687 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
Portland
3001
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3001 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
New Orleans +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 78.3 in | New Orleans + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 26.5 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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