New Orleans LA vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Richmond
42.0%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 227,595 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 31.6% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 55.2% | 42.0% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.1% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $374,265 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 43.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.7% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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