New Orleans LA vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 26,509 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.7 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 31.6% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 55.2% | 3.6% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 3.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $344,633 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.4% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 28.3 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
Compare More Cities
New Orleans, LA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Orleans, LAChicago, IL vs New Orleans, LAHouston, TX vs New Orleans, LANew Orleans, LA vs Phoenix, AZNew Orleans, LA vs Philadelphia, PA