New Orleans LA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
Topeka
5.3%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 126,103 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.3% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 55.2% | 9.7% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $33,290 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 29.1% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.7% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.4% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.9% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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