New Orleans LA vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 31.6% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 55.2% | 14.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Tulsa
$37,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Tulsa
33.3%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $37,533 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 33.3% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 37.5% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.4% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.3% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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