New Orleans LA vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
Spokane
6.1%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 229,228 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.1% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 55.2% | 2.7% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.8% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $38,200 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 32.6% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $400,636 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.3% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane 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%.
Compare More Cities
New Orleans, LA vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Orleans, LAChicago, IL vs New Orleans, LAHouston, TX vs New Orleans, LANew Orleans, LA vs Phoenix, AZNew Orleans, LA vs Philadelphia, PA