New Orleans LA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 31.6% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 55.2% | 5.0% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $54,546 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $31,152 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 30.2% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $324,946 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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