New Orleans LA vs St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 293,109 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 31.6% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 55.2% | 43.1% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.1% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $55,279 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $38,947 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 40.2% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 45.4% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.8% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.4% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.8% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Louis, 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. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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