New Orleans LA vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 94,723 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 31.6% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 55.2% | 0.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $672,082 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 24.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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