New Orleans LA vs Sioux Falls SD — 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%
Sioux Falls, SD
South Dakota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$333,043
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Sioux Falls
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Sioux Falls
N/A
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 31.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 55.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Sioux Falls
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Sioux Falls
$69,795
Sioux Falls +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Sioux Falls
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,795 | Sioux Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Sioux Falls
$333,043
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $333,043 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Sioux Falls
405
Sioux Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Sioux Falls
1873
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 405 | Sioux Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1873 | Sioux Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Sioux Falls
36.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Sioux Falls
10.5%
Sioux Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Sioux Falls
15.7%
Sioux Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Sioux Falls
8.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
New Orleans +
Sioux Falls
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Sioux Falls
13.9%
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.9% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.5% | Sioux Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.7% | Sioux Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.9% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.8% | New Orleans + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.9% | Sioux Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Sioux Falls
45.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Sioux Falls
27.7 in
Sioux Falls +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 27.7 in | Sioux Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Sioux Falls
7.3 µg/m³
Sioux Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Sioux Falls
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Sioux Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Sioux Falls
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sioux Falls, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Sioux Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Sioux Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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