New Orleans LA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 91,535 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 42.9 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 31.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 55.2% | 4.9% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $865,610 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 28.8% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 20.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 28.0 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Santa Ana is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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