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Cost of Living: Memphis, TN vs New Orleans, LA

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

14.0% New Orleans, LA is more expensive overall
45.7% 45.7% more expensive housing
8.7% 8.7% more expensive groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 45.7% more
Memphis
70
New Orleans
102
🛒 Groceries 8.7% more
Memphis
92
New Orleans
100
🚗 Transportation 4.2% more
Memphis
96
New Orleans
100
🏥 Healthcare 6.7% more
Memphis
90
New Orleans
96
⚡ Utilities 6.1% more
Memphis
98
New Orleans
104

Detailed Breakdown

Category Memphis, TN New Orleans, LA Difference
Overall Cost Index869814.0% more
Housing7010245.7% more
Median 1BR Rent$950$1,25031.6% more
Median Home Price$165,000$270,00063.6% more
Groceries921008.7% more
Transportation961004.2% more
Healthcare90966.7% more
Utilities981046.1% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Memphis, TN New Orleans, LA
State Income TaxNone (0%)4.25%
State Sales Tax7.00%4.45%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.56%0.55%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Memphis, TN
$48,000
Median household income
New Orleans, LA
$52,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: New Orleans costs more but median income is only slightly higher. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in New Orleans to maintain your Memphis lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Memphis (86) vs New Orleans (98). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Memphis4.8%
New Orleans4.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Memphis1.9%
New Orleans2.0%
Top Industries
MemphisLogistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing
New OrleansTourism, Energy, Port/Shipping

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Memphis24 min
New Orleans26 min
Walk Score
Memphis34
New Orleans57
Air Quality (AQI)
Memphis44
New Orleans42
Avg Temperature
Memphis63°F
New Orleans69°F
Population
Memphis633,104
New Orleans383,997

Moving from Memphis to New Orleans?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Memphis and New Orleans → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in New Orleans →

Compare Other Cities

Memphis vs Austin → Memphis vs Denver → Memphis vs Nashville → New Orleans vs Raleigh → New Orleans vs Portland → New Orleans vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Memphis or New Orleans cheaper to live in?+
Memphis is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 45.7%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Memphis vs New Orleans?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $950/month in Memphis and $1,250/month in New Orleans — a difference of about $300 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Memphis or New Orleans?+
Tennessee has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 7.00%. Louisiana has a state income tax of 4.25% and sales tax of 4.45%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Memphis to New Orleans?+
Median household income in Memphis is $48,000 compared to $52,000 in New Orleans. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Memphis vs New Orleans?+
The median home price in Memphis is $165,000 versus $270,000 in New Orleans — a difference of $105,000. Property tax rates also differ: Tennessee averages 0.56% while Louisiana averages 0.55%.