New Orleans LA vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 99,507 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.8% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 55.2% | 4.3% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.4% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $33,835 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 24.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $313,452 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
San Marcos
19.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 22.3% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 19.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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