New Orleans LA vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Santa Rosa +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 129,239 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 31.6% | 31.9% | Santa Rosa + |
| Black | 55.2% | 2.1% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $720,443 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 41.2% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.4% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.2 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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