New Orleans LA vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 105,460 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.6 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.1% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 55.2% | 1.4% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.7% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.5% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $35,235 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 24.8% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $414,734 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.1% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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