New Orleans LA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 205,501 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 31.6% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 55.2% | 12.1% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $35,825 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 34.1% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $435,532 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 42.4% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
Worcester
8.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.3% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 19.9% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 27.3 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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