New Orleans LA vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 190,214 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 31.6% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 55.2% | 13.3% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $36,694 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 34.7% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $429,449 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 41.2% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 34.4% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.6% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.6% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 27.4 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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