New Orleans LA vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
New Orleans +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
Springfield
4.5%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 113,714 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.7 | New Orleans + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.5% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 55.2% | 19.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 3.4% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 35.1% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 41.1% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 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
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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