New Orleans LA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 114,303 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 31.6% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 55.2% | 1.1% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.2% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Provo
22.3%
Provo +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $26,755 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 22.3% | Provo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $486,127 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 39.9% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 21.5% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.6% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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