New Orleans LA vs St. Charles 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 71,542 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.2% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 55.2% | 6.7% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.4% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.7% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $31,499 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 22.7% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
St. Charles
18.4%
St. Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.9% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 18.4% | St. Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Charles, MO | 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
New Orleans +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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