New Orleans LA vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Vancouver
37.5
Vancouver +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 192,696 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.5 | Vancouver + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 31.6% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 55.2% | 3.1% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 31.5% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $510,577 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 49.9% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3409 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Vancouver
19.1%
Vancouver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.2% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.1% | Vancouver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.4% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.1 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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