New Orleans LA vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 147,649 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 31.6% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 55.2% | 21.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Rockford
21.9%
Rockford +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $53,328 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $30,409 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 8.6% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 21.9% | Rockford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 23.2% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Rockford
53.8%
Rockford +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 53.8% | Rockford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Rockford
1842
Rockford +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Rockford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Rockford
19.0%
Rockford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 44.7% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.4% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.0% | Rockford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.0% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.1% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 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