City comparison
Yes. San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 350 in New Orleans, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 393, using 2024-2025 FBI data for San Francisco and 2023 FBI data for New Orleans.
New Orleans is cheaper. Median rent is $1,251 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and New Orleans is significant: $140,970 median household versus $56,631. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,251 in New Orleans.
This is a genuine split. San Francisco 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
San Francisco and New Orleans are 1,922 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,251 a month in New Orleans, down $1,225 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $56,631 in New Orleans, down $84,339 (60%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 350 in New Orleans, up 167 points (91%).
The move
New Orleans and San Francisco are 1,922 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,251 a month in New Orleans to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,225 a month (98%).
Median household income goes from $56,631 in New Orleans to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $84,339 (149%).
The crime index goes from 350 in New Orleans to 183 in San Francisco, down 167 points (48%).
San Francisco, CA
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 San Francisco and New Orleans? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
49% cheaper
New Orleans rent is 49% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
New Orleans
Winner$1,251/mo
Typical rent runs $1,251 a month in New Orleans versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so New Orleans is 49% cheaper. That's roughly $1,225/month back in your pocket ($14,700/year). Over five years that's $73,500 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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
149% higher
San Francisco's median income is 149% higher than New Orleans
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
New Orleans
$56,631
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $56,631 in New Orleans, so typical pay runs 149% higher in San Francisco (about $84,339 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, San Francisco 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
48% lower crime
San Francisco's crime index is 48% lower than New Orleans
San Francisco
Winner183 (100 = avg)
New Orleans
350 (100 = avg)
San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 350 in New Orleans (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 48% lower in San Francisco. 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, San Francisco 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
San Francisco and New Orleans are about even on typical weather.
San Francisco
65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
New Orleans
73°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); New Orleans averages about 73°F (81°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°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
San Francisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 149% higher here ($140,970). Start with San Francisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
San Francisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 48% lower than New Orleans (183 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 49% 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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,251/month in New Orleans versus $2,476 in San Francisco. Median income reads $56,631 in New Orleans and $140,970 in San Francisco, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
New Orleans rent at $1,251/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 22/100 in New Orleans.
Pick New Orleans when shaving $1,225 off rent at $1,251/month is the priority. Otherwise, San Francisco's case rests on $2,476/month rent with $140,970 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and New Orleans, plus other cities in CA and LA.
