New Orleans LA vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 51,054 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 31.6% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 55.2% | 16.9% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
New Orleans +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
New Orleans +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $35,780 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 9.4% | New Orleans + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 23.8% | New Orleans + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 36.8% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 36.8% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Utica
14.1%
Utica +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Utica
19.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 39.6% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.1% | Utica + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.1% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 18.7% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a lower unemployment rate at 7.8%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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