New Orleans LA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 31.6% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 55.2% | 18.9% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 40.4% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $427,121 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 36.5% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 25.0 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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