New Orleans LA vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 307,762 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 31.6% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 55.2% | 16.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $297,021 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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