New Orleans LA vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 39.7 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 31.6% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 55.2% | 5.1% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $1,369,171 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 38.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
San Francisco
2388
San Francisco +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | San Francisco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
San Francisco
19.6%
San Francisco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.6% | San Francisco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 33.9 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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