Avg Rent
$1,270
Population
360,945
Renter Mix
56% Rent
Welcome to New Orleans, where centuries of history blend with contemporary living. The French Quarter showcases historic architecture, while the Garden District features antebellum mansions, and the Marigny neighborhood maintains its artistic heritage. Studio apartments in New Orleans average $1,045, one-bedroom units typically cost $1,294, and three-bedroom homes run about $1,614. The Uptown area, home to Tulane and Loyola Universities, offers easy access to both campus life and the city's celebrated music venues. The Bywater district features restored Creole cottages and local eateries, while Mid-City residents enjoy transportation via the historic streetcar line along Canal Street.
New Orleans living revolves around its year-round festival calendar and rich cultural traditions. City Park spans 1,300 acres with centuries-old oak trees, walking trails, and recreational facilities. The rental market shows varying trends across different unit sizes, with studio apartments experiencing a 6.6% increase while one-bedroom rates decreased by 0.2% over the past year. Each neighborhood maintains its own character - from the renovated industrial spaces in the Warehouse District to the historic shotgun houses in Treme. With an average rent of $1,297, New Orleans offers access to world-class cuisine, music, and culture at a more accessible price point than many other major cities.
Italianate mansions are a must-see in New Orleans' Garden District.
At 1,300 acres, New Orleans City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
Jazz inspired second lines are celebrated throughout New Orleans.
Magazine St forms the backbone of shopping and dining options around Uptown New Orleans.
The French Quarter’s Bourbon St plays host to concert goers visiting New Orleans.
New Orleans Mardi Gras parades draw large crowds day or night.
Median Household Income
$48,881
Average: $78,484
Education
132,134
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
172,922
Workers Employed
Median Age
40 Years
Largest Age Group
35-44 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
22%
Over 65
19%
Housing Distribution
New Orleans has more renters than homeowners.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in New Orleans, LA is $1,103 for a studio, $1,263 for one bedroom, $1,469 for two bedrooms, and $1,614 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in New Orleans has decreased by -1.4% in the past year.
The cost of living in New Orleans, LA is 13.1% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in New Orleans is 49.8% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,100 - $1,562. You can expect to pay 0.7% less for groceries, 27.0% less for utilities, and 4.0% less for transportation.
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Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly New Orleans, LA is for everyday living.
Not Walkable
Walkability
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
Public
Grades K-12
1,954 Students
Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School of Literature & Technology
Public
Grades PK-8
745 Students
International School of Louisiana
Public
Grades K-8
1,190 Students
Lycee Francais De La Nouvelle-Orleans
Public
Grades PK-12
1,038 Students
KIPP New Orleans Leadership Academy
Public
Grades K-8
894 Students
Public
Grades K-12
1,954 Students
Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School of Literature & Technology
Public
Grades PK-8
745 Students
International School of Louisiana
Public
Grades K-8
1,190 Students
Lycee Francais De La Nouvelle-Orleans
Public
Grades PK-12
1,038 Students
KIPP New Orleans Leadership Academy
Public
Grades K-8
894 Students
Public
Grades K-12
1,954 Students
Lycee Francais De La Nouvelle-Orleans
Public
Grades PK-12
1,038 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
694 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,134 Students
New Orleans Military/Maritime Academy
Public
Grades 6-12
907 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
