New Orleans LA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 107,699 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.7% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 55.2% | 42.8% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.6% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.2% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $48,536 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $31,324 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 23.8% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 38.1% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 45.1% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 42.6% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 21.3% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.5% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 55.0 in | Tuscaloosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Tuscaloosa 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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