New Orleans, Louisiana
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching New Orleans.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in New Orleans?
For relocators asking how much New Orleans costs: the housing index sits at 94 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $296,400 and rents near $1,211. Local median income is about $55,339 and unemployment recently ran 5.1% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 24 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 1144.7 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 94U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $296,400U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,211U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $55,339U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.1%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 24 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1144.7per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 93°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how New Orleans compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 362,701City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $55,339Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year30% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 94ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year6% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $296,400City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($303,400)U.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,211City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year10% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.1%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 24 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5829% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1144.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)95% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 5292.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)71% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 93°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 49°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 64.6 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals96% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 251As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
New Orleans grew 4.3% from 347,772 in 2010 to 362,701 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is New Orleans expensive compared to the U.S. average?
New Orleans's housing cost index is 94 versus 100 nationally — below the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($296,400 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,211 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 94 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $296,400 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,211 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in New Orleans?
Typical ownership costs center near $296,400, while median gross rent is about $1,211 a month. Against a median household income of $55,339, rent alone is roughly 26% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $296,400
- Median rent $1,211/month
- Median household income $55,339
What is the job market like in New Orleans?
County unemployment recently ran 5.1% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in New Orleans is about $55,339 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 5.1% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $55,339
How long is the typical commute in New Orleans?
Average one-way commute time is about 24 minutes, with Walk Score near 58/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 24 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 58/100
Is New Orleans safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 1144.7 per 100k and property about 5292.5 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 1144.7 per 100k
- Property 5292.5 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in New Orleans?
Normals show summer highs near 93°F, winter lows near 49°F, about 64.6 inches of rain, and roughly 251 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 93°F
- Winter low 49°F
- 64.6 in rain · 251 sunny days
New Orleans (pop. 362,701) sits in Louisiana. Households here report a median income near $55,339; our housing-derived cost index is about 94 (below the national housing-cost baseline). Ownership is a high bar — typical values near $296,400 push many newcomers toward renting first.
Gulf moisture, festival culture, and floodplain risk are everyday considerations. With about 64.6 inches of rain a year, wet-season drainage and mold checks are worth asking about. Commutes average near 24 minutes one-way, with walkability near 58/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 5.1% for the surrounding county. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1144.7 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
New Orleans is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare New Orleans with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (New Orleans city, 1600000US2255000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Orleans Parish, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00012930 NEW ORLEANS AUDUBON) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10