New Orleans LA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Westland
38.2
Westland +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 84,155 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.2 | Westland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 31.6% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 55.2% | 22.6% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 5.0% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $33,816 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 21.7% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 34.7% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 20.0% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.6% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Westland, MI | 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
New Orleans +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 27.0 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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