Cost of living, New Orleans
92.6
BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). New Orleans sits about 7.4% below national prices.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US
- −7.4%
- Metro
- New Orleans
- CBSA
- 35380
New Orleans all-items RPP is 92.6 (2024), about 7.4% below US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $83,340 here for equal purchasing power.
Price components in New Orleans
| Component | New Orleans | US |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 92.6 | 100 |
| Goods | 93.7 | 100 |
| Housing (rents) | 86.0 | 100 |
| Other services | 95.7 | 100 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.
What a US-average salary buys in New Orleans
| At US average | In New Orleans |
|---|---|
| $60,000 | $55,560 |
| $90,000 | $83,340 |
| $150,000 | $138,900 |
Local equivalent = national salary × (92.6 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.
Top wages here
FAQ
- What is the cost of living in New Orleans?
- The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for New Orleans-Metairie, LA is 92.6, versus a US average of 100 (−7.4%).
- How is RPP different from CPI?
- CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
- How should I use this with OEWS wages?
- Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $83,340 in New Orleans for equal purchasing power.
- Does this include taxes or housing alone?
- No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Highest wages here
- Architectural and Engineering Managers , 560 OEWS emp. $165,620
- Industrial Production Managers , 580 OEWS emp. $147,980
- Financial Managers , 1,970 OEWS emp. $134,110
- Computer and Information Systems Managers , 800 OEWS emp. $131,570
- Pharmacists , 1,470 OEWS emp. $128,100
- Industrial Engineers , 460 OEWS emp. $127,340
See methodology and disclaimer.