New Orleans LA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 31.6% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 55.2% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $871,599 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 44.3% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 28.8 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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