New Orleans LA vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 118,578 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.7% | New Orleans + |
| White | 31.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 55.2% | 14.9% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.3% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $265,013 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 46.8% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 42.7% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.8% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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