New Orleans vs Arlington: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of New Orleans, LA and Arlington, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | Arlington, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 380,408 | 393,469 |
| Median household income | $51,116 | $71,736 |
| Median home value | $281,500 | $251,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,162 | $1,297 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing New Orleans, LA and Arlington, TX comes down to what you value most. Arlington has the lower median home value, and New Orleans has the lower median rent.
Arlington has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in New Orleans or Arlington?
- By median home value, Arlington is the cheaper of the two ($251,300 vs $281,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, New Orleans or Arlington?
- Median household income is $51,116 in New Orleans versus $71,736 in Arlington, per the US Census Bureau.