New Orleans LA vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Savannah
37.2%
Savannah +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Savannah
52.2%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 147,546 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 31.6% | 37.2% | Savannah + |
| Black | 55.2% | 52.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.1% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Savannah
$56,782
Savannah +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Savannah
$57,405
Savannah +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Savannah
19.5%
Savannah +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Savannah
32.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $56,782 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $32,004 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,405 | Savannah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 19.5% | Savannah + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 32.0% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $326,132 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 44.4% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Savannah
34.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Savannah
13.6%
Savannah +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 34.5% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.6% | Savannah + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.8% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Savannah
48.0 in
Savannah +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 48.0 in | Savannah + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Savannah leads in median household income at $56,782, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Savannah has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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