Living in New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is the 54th-largest city in the US, home to about 362,000 people in 2025. It has lost 5.7% of its population since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (92.6 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 362,154-5.7% since 2020
- Median home value
- $315,7005.6 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,251/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $56,631median, per year
- Price level
- 92.6US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 61° / 91°lows 47° / 78°
- Average commute
- 23 min15% work from home
- State income tax
- 3%top rate, flat
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County: Orleans Parish
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 0 ft
Metro area: New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Cost of living in New Orleans
The median home in New Orleans is worth $315,700 and the median household earns $56,631 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.6 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,251 a month, about 26% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area at 92.6, with housing at 86.0 and goods at 93.7 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $69,400 here. Louisiana taxes wages at a top rate of 3% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Louisiana is 10.13%.
What would my salary be worth in New Orleans?
New Orleans weather
Average highs run from 61°F in January to 91°F in July, and January nights average 47°F. It gets 60 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 86 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit New Orleans
People and work
The median resident is 38.8 years old, and 42% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 51% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 15% of workers work from home and 4% take public transit.
- Median age
- 38.8413th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 42%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 51%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,137169.5 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 5%6% walk, 1.7% bike
- Unemployment
- 7.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 22.6%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1960median year
Who moves to New Orleans, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and Lafayette (Lafayette Parish). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), Dallas (Dallas County) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Orleans County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, lightning, inland flooding, heat wave.
Home prices
+2.7% in a year
Up 14% over five years. FHFA house price index for the New Orleans-Metairie, LA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
52% good days
2 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the New Orleans-Metairie, LA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near New Orleans
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Tulane University of Louisiana 3 miles
- University of New Orleans 5 miles
- Xavier University of Louisiana 2 miles
- Loyola University New Orleans 3 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near New Orleans
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY | 11 mi | 6,537,092 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport GPT | 68 mi | 424,624 |
| Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport BTR | 76 mi | 419,446 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near New Orleans
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulane University of Louisiana | 3 mi | 7,767 | $40,693 | 87% |
| University of New Orleans | 5 mi | 4,638 | $7,761 | 38% |
| Loyola University New Orleans | 3 mi | 2,812 | $21,888 | 61% |
| Xavier University of Louisiana | 2 mi | 2,628 | $19,722 | 55% |
| Dillard University | 3 mi | 1,063 | $26,363 | 51% |
| Southern University at New Orleans | 5 mi | 1,055 | $12,086 | 15% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in New Orleans
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 22, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around December 26 and the first frost comes around January 5.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for New Orleans Lakefront Airport, LA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for New Orleans.
Wildfire smoke in New Orleans
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered New Orleans on about 169 days a year, including about 17 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in New Orleans
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 155,821 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in New Orleans
Downtown New Orleans is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans Parish School District | Pre-K to 12 | 2,322 | 6 | 11.2 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Jefferson Parish School District (46,790 students), St. Bernard Parish School District (7,592 students), Plaquemines Parish School District (3,510 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
New Orleans's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to New Orleans's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Tallahassee, FL74% matchCompare
- League City, TX73% matchCompare
- Pasadena, TX71% matchCompare
- Jacksonville, FL70% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Pros and cons of living in New Orleans
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 61°F.
Cons
- Data Sales tax is high: 10.13% on average with local taxes.
- Data The population has shrunk 5.7% since 2020.
- Data Poverty is high: 22.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
New Orleans report card from locals
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Cities near New Orleans
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie, LA | 5 mi | 139,729 | $327,500 | 92.6 | Compare |
| Gulfport, MS | 68 mi | 76,506 | $174,600 | 90.0 | Compare |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 71 mi | 222,795 | $234,700 | 90.8 | Compare |
| Lafayette, LA | 118 mi | 123,311 | $257,000 | 87.2 | Compare |
| Mobile, AL | 128 mi | 200,824 | $193,300 | 88.1 | Compare |
| Jackson, MS | 162 mi | 141,196 | $111,700 | 89.0 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare New Orleans with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is New Orleans a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, short commutes; the trade-offs are a shrinking population. Compare New Orleans side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of New Orleans?
The Census Bureau estimates New Orleans had 362,154 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 384,129 in April 2020 (-5.7%).
How much do you need to earn to live in New Orleans?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $69,400 in the New Orleans area. The median household here earns $56,631.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 91°F and January 61°F for daytime highs.
What county is New Orleans in?
New Orleans is in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is New Orleans in?
New Orleans is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of New Orleans?
Close to sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Louisiana have a state income tax?
Yes. Louisiana has a flat income tax with a top rate of 3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of New Orleans. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, New Orleans Lakefront Airport, LA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.