New Orleans LA vs San Bernardino CA — 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 Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 221,774 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 31.6% | 27.6% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 55.2% | 11.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
San Bernardino
19.5%
San Bernardino +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $23,980 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 19.5% | San Bernardino + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 12.8% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $492,059 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 48.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
San Bernardino
503
San Bernardino +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | San Bernardino + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
37.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 37.1% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.0% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 20.2% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Bernardino, CA | 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 30.7 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, San Bernardino is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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