New Orleans LA vs Stockton CA — 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%
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Stockton
25.9%
Stockton +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Stockton
26.6%
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Stockton
21.1%
Stockton +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 320,470 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.7 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 25.9% | Stockton + |
| White | 31.6% | 26.6% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 55.2% | 11.6% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 21.1% | Stockton + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 45.2% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Stockton
$76,851
Stockton +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Stockton
$77,230
Stockton +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Stockton
15.4%
Stockton +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $76,851 | Stockton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $31,279 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Stockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 8.0% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.4% | Stockton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 19.1% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Stockton
$431,297
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Stockton
53.2%
Stockton +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $431,297 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 53.2% | Stockton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Stockton
503
Stockton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Stockton
2388
Stockton +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Stockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Stockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Stockton
15.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.0% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Stockton
17.8 in
Stockton +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 17.8 in | Stockton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 33.2 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton leads in median household income at $76,851, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Stockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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