New Orleans LA vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 31.6% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 55.2% | 21.3% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $376,530 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 50.2% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.9% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 26.8 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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