New Orleans LA vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Shreveport
183,483
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Shreveport
37.5
Shreveport +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Shreveport
36.5%
Shreveport +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 183,483 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.5 | Shreveport + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 2.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 36.5% | Shreveport + |
| Black | 55.2% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.5% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 3.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Shreveport
$55,297
Tie
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $48,465 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $33,788 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $55,297 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 8.9% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 23.6% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 27.5% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Shreveport
643
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Shreveport
2824
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 643 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2824 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 43.1% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.6% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.1% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.6% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 19.1% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Shreveport
52.7 in
Shreveport +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 52.7 in | Shreveport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Shreveport is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and Shreveport 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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