New Orleans LA vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 31.6% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 55.2% | 7.0% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $32,983 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 28.7% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $251,035 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 34.9% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 24.5% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
New Orleans +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 26.5 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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%.
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