New Orleans, Louisiana
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching New Orleans, LA.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in New Orleans, LA?
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 559.5).
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 · catalog avg 559.5
- Summer high
- 93°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how New Orleans compares with a U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals) or a MapsToIt catalog average (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 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $55,339Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year30% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 94ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year6% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $296,400City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($303,400)U.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,211City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year10% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.1%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-10-19 · July 20260.9 pts above U.S. rateU.S. 4.2% - Avg commute
- 24 minNear catalog avg (25 min)Catalog avg 25 min
- Walk Score
- 5829% above catalog avgCatalog avg 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1144.7per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)105% above catalog avgCatalog avg 559.5 - Property crime rate
- 5292.5per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback) · older data (2019)76% above catalog avgCatalog avg 3005.3 - Summer high
- 93°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6.0 pts above catalog avgCatalog avg 87°F
- Winter low
- 49°FAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals14.0 pts above catalog avgCatalog avg 35°F
- Annual rainfall
- 64.6 inAs of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals95% above catalog avgCatalog avg 33.2 in
- Sunny days
- 251As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals6% below catalog avgCatalog avg 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, LA 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, LA?
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, LA?
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, LA?
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, LA 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 559.5 and 3005.3. 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, LA?
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 CIUS Table 8 violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1144.7 per 100k), 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 figures, 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 2026-10-19 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Orleans Parish, July 2026 — As of 2026-10-19 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019), city offenses per 100k — As of 2026-10-19 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00012930 NEW ORLEANS AUDUBON) — As of 2026-10-19 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-10-19 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-10-19