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Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA 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.

16.9% New Orleans, LA is cheaper overall
28.2% 28.2% cheaper housing
3.8% 3.8% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 28.2% cheaper
Sacramento
142
New Orleans
102
🛒 Groceries 3.8% cheaper
Sacramento
104
New Orleans
100
🚗 Transportation 10.7% cheaper
Sacramento
112
New Orleans
100
🏥 Healthcare 11.1% cheaper
Sacramento
108
New Orleans
96
⚡ Utilities 4.0% more
Sacramento
100
New Orleans
104

Detailed Breakdown

Category Sacramento, CA New Orleans, LA Difference
Overall Cost Index1189816.9% less
Housing14210228.2% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,650$1,25024.2% less
Median Home Price$450,000$270,00040.0% less
Groceries1041003.8% less
Transportation11210010.7% less
Healthcare1089611.1% less
Utilities1001044.0% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Sacramento, CA New Orleans, LA
State Income Tax13.30% (top)4.25%
State Sales Tax7.25%4.45%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.55%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Sacramento, CA
$78,000
Median household income
New Orleans, LA
$52,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: New Orleans costs more but median income is lower. 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 Sacramento lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Sacramento (118) vs New Orleans (98). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Sacramento4.2%
New Orleans4.8%
Job Growth (YoY)
Sacramento2.7%
New Orleans2.0%
Top Industries
SacramentoGovernment, Healthcare, Agriculture
New OrleansTourism, Energy, Port/Shipping

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Sacramento27 min
New Orleans26 min
Walk Score
Sacramento44
New Orleans57
Air Quality (AQI)
Sacramento50
New Orleans42
Avg Temperature
Sacramento61°F
New Orleans69°F
Population
Sacramento524,943
New Orleans383,997

Moving from Sacramento to New Orleans?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Sacramento 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento or New Orleans cheaper to live in?+
New Orleans is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 28.2%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Sacramento vs New Orleans?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,650/month in Sacramento and $1,250/month in New Orleans — a difference of about $400 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Sacramento or New Orleans?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 Sacramento to New Orleans?+
Median household income in Sacramento is $78,000 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 Sacramento vs New Orleans?+
The median home price in Sacramento is $450,000 versus $270,000 in New Orleans — a difference of $180,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Louisiana averages 0.55%.