Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dallas, TX
VS
New Orleans, LA
🏆 New Orleans leads 12 of 23 categories
Dallas
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,985 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,300,642 ✓ Larger
New Orleans
Louisiana
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,116
Violent Crime Index
380⚠ High
Population
380,408
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dallas, TX
Pros
54% less violent crime than New Orleans
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (5.0%)
Households earn $12,869 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (658.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than New Orleans
Property crime (3351.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
New Orleans, LA
Pros
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Dallas
Rent averages $143/mo less ($1,162 vs $1,305)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.1)
More college-educated — 40.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 91°F vs 97°F
Cons
Violent crime (1444.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Dallas by $12,869/yr
Property crime (4640.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.4% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Dallas
Median Income
$12,869
$63,985 vs $51,116/yr
Dallas
Violent Crime
54% lower
658.2 vs 1444.1 per 100k
Dallas
Median Home Value
$11k less
$270,700 vs $281,500
Dallas
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
5.0% vs 8.4% unemployment
Dallas
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 96.9°F vs 90.6°F
New Orleans
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 91.1 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New Orleans, LA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 91.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $270,700 ✓ Lower | $281,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,305 | $1,162 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,985 ✓ Higher | $51,116 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.4 min | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 11.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer | 316⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 380⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer | 221⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.5% | 40.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 88.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DALLAS ISD | Einstein Charter Middle Sch at Sarah Towles Reed |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.7°F | 61.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 96.9°F ✓ Warmer | 90.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" ✓ Drier | 60.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.7" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,300,642 ✓ Larger | 380,408 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 49.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.0% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dallas's cost of living index is 103.3 vs New Orleans's 91.1 (US average = 100).
New Orleans is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, New Orleans leads 12 of 23 categories. Dallas wins 11 and New Orleans wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Dallas to New Orleans or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($270,700 vs $281,500 median home), income ($63,985 vs $51,116), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dallas, TX and New Orleans, LA are about 445 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.