New Orleans LA vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
Springfield
3.8%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 169,432 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 3.8% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 55.2% | 4.3% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.7% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.6% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $45,984 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $30,864 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 30.3% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 42.9% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 37.7% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.0% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.0% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 17.1% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
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