City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 350 in New Orleans, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 393, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Austin and 2023 FBI data for New Orleans.
New Orleans is cheaper. Median rent is $1,251 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Austin and New Orleans is significant: $93,658 median household versus $56,631. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $1,251 in New Orleans.
This is a genuine split. Austin wins on the job market and safety and New Orleans wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. New Orleans at $1,251 average has pockets that run $1,051 and others at $1,651: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Austin and New Orleans are 459 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,251 a month in New Orleans, down $478 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $56,631 in New Orleans, down $37,027 (40%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 350 in New Orleans, up 188 points (116%).
The move
New Orleans and Austin are 459 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,251 a month in New Orleans to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $478 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $56,631 in New Orleans to $93,658 in Austin, up $37,027 (65%).
The crime index goes from 350 in New Orleans to 162 in Austin, down 188 points (54%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
New Orleans, LA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and New Orleans? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
New Orleans rent is 28% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
New Orleans
Winner$1,251/mo
Typical rent runs $1,251 a month in New Orleans versus $1,729 in Austin, so New Orleans is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $478/month back in your pocket ($5,736/year). Over five years that's $28,680 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Austin, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, New Orleans is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
65% higher
Austin's median income is 65% higher than New Orleans
Austin
Winner$93,658
New Orleans
$56,631
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $56,631 in New Orleans, so typical pay runs 65% higher in Austin (about $37,027 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. New Orleans can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
54% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 54% lower than New Orleans
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
New Orleans
350 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 350 in New Orleans (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 54% lower in Austin. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Austin is the easier city. New Orleans can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Austin and New Orleans are about even on typical weather.
Austin
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
New Orleans
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Austin averages about 68°F (76°F highs); New Orleans averages about 73°F (81°F highs). Austin sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. New Orleans sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Austin is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 65% higher here ($93,658). Start with Austin if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 54% lower than New Orleans (162 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to New Orleans
New Orleans is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,251 a month. Choose New Orleans if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Austin leads on safety (45/100 vs 22/100 in New Orleans). Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $1,251 in New Orleans; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
New Orleans rent at $1,251/month is still below Austin's $1,729, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,251 in New Orleans and $1,729 in Austin.
Austin is ahead on safety (45/100 vs 22/100); New Orleans is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,251/month rent plus $56,631 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Austin when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and New Orleans, plus other cities in TX and LA.
