Everything You Should Know Before Moving to New Orleans, LA
Thinking of moving to New Orleans, LA? With a vibrant population of nearly 370,000, New Orleans offers a unique blend of culture, music, and cuisine. The city’s median home price is $277,000 and average rent is $1,210, making housing relatively affordable. Commutes average 24 minutes, and you’ll enjoy a mild, sunny climate. Be mindful of higher crime rates and a poverty rate above 20%, but the city is home to renowned schools, major hospitals, and a lively arts scene—making it a truly one-of-a-kind place to call home.
Demographics - New Orleans, LA
Demographics - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is a diverse city of nearly 370,000 residents, with a majority Black population and a median age of 37. The population density is moderate, and around 11% of residents speak a language other than English at home, reflecting the city’s multicultural character.
Population:
369,749
Density:
2,290 per sq mi
Median Age:
37.1
Gender Ratio:
91 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
10.8%

Ethnic Composition
White:
31.1%
Black:
59.5%
Asian:
2.9%
Others:
6.5%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in New Orleans, LA?
The cost of living in New Orleans is close to the national average, with a median home value of $277,000 and average rent at $1,210 per month. Utilities and groceries are slightly above average, while housing costs remain relatively affordable for a major city.
Median House Value:
$277,000
Gross Rent:
$1,210
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$143
Auto Insurance:
$2,370
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$1,540
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$480
State Taxes:
Low:
2.0%
|
High:
6.0%
Cost Of Living Index:
96.3
Grocery:
97.1
Housing:
85.4
Utilities:
103.2
Transportation:
98.7
Health Care:
97.6
Miscellaneous:
94.2
Crime
Is New Orleans, LA a safe place to live?
Crime rates in New Orleans are higher than the national average, with about 1 in 89 residents experiencing violent crime and 1 in 22 experiencing property crime. Prospective residents should consider neighborhood safety when choosing where to live.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
1,121
Property Crimes Per 100k:
4,615
Crime Index:
5,736
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 89
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 22
Weather
What is the weather like in New Orleans, LA year-round?
New Orleans enjoys a mild, sunny climate with 63% of days seeing sunshine and average yearly rainfall of 64 inches. Winters are comfortable, while summers are hot and humid, making outdoor activities popular year-round.

Winter
Min:
46°F
Max:
64°F

Spring
Min:
59°F
Max:
80°F

Summer
Min:
76°F
Max:
91°F

Fall
Min:
61°F
Max:
81°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
64.4 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
63%
Neighbors
Local households have a median income of $47,500, though the poverty rate stands at 23%. Most residents have completed high school, and the average commute is just over 24 minutes, with public transportation available for about 8% of commuters.
Median Income:
$28,500
Household Income:
$47,500
Family Income:
$60,700
Per Capita Income:
$32,600
Income Male:
$41,000
Income Female:
$33,600
Poverty Rate:
23.1%
Non English Speakers:
10.8%
Rent:
$1,210
Unemployment Rate:
5.9%
Public Transport Usage:
8.1%
Commute Time:
24.2 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
86.2%
Bachelors or More:
38.4%
Education
How are the schools in New Orleans, LA?
New Orleans is home to highly regarded public and private schools, as well as major universities like Tulane and Loyola. The city offers a variety of educational options with strong college attendance and diverse academic programs.

Public Schools
Name:
Benjamin Franklin High School
Street:
2001 Leon C Simon Dr
Phone:
504-286-2600
Students:
1,018
Student Teacher Ratio:
21.0
Name:
Lusher Charter School
Street:
5624 Freret St
Phone:
504-304-3961
Students:
1,854
Student Teacher Ratio:
17.1

Private Schools
Name:
Isidore Newman School
Street:
1903 Jefferson Ave
Phone:
504-899-5641
Students:
1,005

Colleges
Name:
Tulane University
City:
New Orleans
State:
LA
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
13,500
Name:
Loyola University New Orleans
City:
New Orleans
State:
LA
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
4,500
Healthcare
The city offers strong healthcare access, with major hospitals like Ochsner Medical Center and University Medical Center serving the community. There are about 3 physicians per 1,000 residents, and nearly 87% of people have health insurance coverage.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Ochsner Medical Center
Address:
1514 Jefferson Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70121
Phone:
(504) 842-3000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
University Medical Center New Orleans
Address:
2000 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone:
(504) 702-3000
Type:
General & Trauma
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.0
Health Insurance Coverage:
86.7%
Health Care Index:
75.0
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in New Orleans, LA?
New Orleans' housing market features a median home price of $277,000 and an average two-bedroom rent of $1,210. About 48% of homes are owner-occupied, and the area has a healthy home appreciation rate of 4.3% over the past year.
Median Home Price:
$277,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,210
Owner Occupied Rate:
47.6%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
11.9%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.3%
New Construction Rate:
2.1%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.7%
DMV Information
Vehicle services in New Orleans are managed by the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, conveniently located on Veterans Blvd. Residents can access registration, licensing, and other DMV services online or by phone.
State:
Louisiana
Department:
Office of Motor Vehicles
Address:
100 Veterans Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124
Phone:
1-225-925-6146
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.