New Orleans LA vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 75,721 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 31.6% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 55.2% | 2.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 6.8% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $765,686 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 45.2% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
Renton
3409
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.1% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.4 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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