New Orleans LA vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
New Orleans +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 153,455 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 31.6% | 30.4% | New Orleans + |
| Black | 55.2% | 1.5% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $2,144,024 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 43.8% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.3 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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