New Orleans LA vs San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 31.6% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 55.2% | 5.7% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $1,006,261 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 47.6% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.9 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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