New Orleans LA vs Rochester NY — 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 209,720 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 31.6% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 55.2% | 37.5% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $46,628 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $30,451 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 26.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 29.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 37.2% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 38.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.9% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.6% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 34.3 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, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, 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%.
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