New Orleans LA vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 98,677 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 31.6% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 55.2% | 29.0% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $52,671 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $34,792 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 28.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $279,668 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.0% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.7% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke 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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