New Orleans LA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 102,866 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 31.6% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 55.2% | 24.4% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.7% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $52,512 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $29,511 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 29.4% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.7% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.3% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.6% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.2% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 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
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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