New Orleans LA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 250,887 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 31.6% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 55.2% | 32.4% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.3% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Wilmington
37.2%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $35,074 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 37.2% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $419,326 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.6% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Wilmington
58.4 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 58.4 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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